Here is what NFL gambling policy says, in wake of Calvin Ridley’s suspension
Football fans were shocked to hear Monday that the league had suspended Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games during the 2021 season.
Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to Ridley to inform him of the suspension.
“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,” Goodell wrote. “This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction. In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”
Ridley offered a defense on Twitter, writing: “I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem” and “I couldn’t even watch football at that point.”
Ridley also wrote: “Just gone be more healthy when I come back” and then added: “I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol”
NFL.com noted the bets were made during five days in November when he was away from the Falcons’ team facility because he was on “the non-football illness list.”
“The former first-round pick played in just five games in 2021 before leaving the club to focus on his “mental wellbeing,” NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote.
NFL policy
The league’s gambling policy for NFL personnel is clear about what is prohibited.
Section 2 is dedicated to gambling activities, and the first subsection has to do with “betting on football.”
Here is what the policy says: “All NFL Personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or indirectly through a third-party on any NFL game, practice or other event. This includes betting on game outcome, statistics, scores, performance of any individual participant or any kind of “proposition bet” on which wagering is offered.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 3:51 PM.
