Report: Suspended Falcons Receiver Calvin Ridley Traded To The Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL: Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The NFC South saw two of its teams make headline grabbing trades, one of them during Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Atlanta Falcons have traded wide receiver Calvin Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2023 5th-round pick and a conditional 2024 4th-round pick that could potentially rise under the right conditions. Ridley is currently serving a season-long NFL suspension for allegedly violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Ridley has been accused of betting on multiple sports games, according to documents obtained by Sports Handle. The incident reportedly happened during a five-day stretch in late November 2021 while Ridley was reportedly away from the Falcons due to mental health reasons. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated back in March that Ridley immediately admitted wrongdoing, and commended him for his integrity.

“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,” Goodell wrote to Ridley in a letter.

Goodell also emphasized that the receiver’s actions “put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations” of his fellow teammates and players across the National Football League. Ridley’s suspension became a topic of conversation heading into training camp this season, comparing his punishment to the initial six-game suspension Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was given by Judge Sue L. Robinson. Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson gave his reaction on Twitter to the Watson news and advocated for the release of his teammate. “Free my dawg!!” Patterson said.

Ridley is permitted to apply for reinstatement in February 2023.

Sports Illustrated has more HERE.

Share: 
Tags:

Categorized: