By Amy Tennery
(Reuters) -Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at least the 2022 season for betting on National Football League (NFL) games, the league said on Monday.
The 27-year-old former first-round pick was found to have engaged in the prohibited activity during a five-day stretch when he was not with his team in late November.
“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success – and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league – than upholding the integrity of the game,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
“Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputation of your fellow players.”
The league found no evidence that Ridley used “inside information” or compromised any game.
Ridley released a handful of tweets after the news broke and said that he would return to the league “more healthy.”
“I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem,” he wrote, adding, “I couldn’t even watch football at that point.”
Gambling is considered one of the most egregious offenses a player can commit in the NFL.
While Ridley can appeal the suspension, he will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement until February 15, 2023, three days after the Super Bowl.
“We were first made aware of the league’s investigation on Feb. 9. We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made,” the Falcons said in a statement.
Ridley played only five games with the team last season and was placed on the non-football illness list Nov. 5.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
