On Monday, the NFL shocked fans by announcing that it was suspending Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the entire 2022-2023 season because he placed bets on NFL games during last season. Also on Monday, Ridley decided to try and tweet through it, perhaps his worst crime of all.
It was announced that Ridley placed bets on NFL games during a five-day stretch in late November of last year while he was on the reserve non-football illness list. What was unknown in the press release was the amount of those bets. Turns out, Ridley just came out and said it in a tweet following the breaking news.
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I couldn’t even watch football at that point
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
Just gone be more healthy when I come back
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
Not great, Calvin! Considering that Ridley has the chance to appeal the suspension and his reinstatement to the league in 2023 isn’t guaranteed, this is probably not the best strategy. We imagine these tweets are coming down due to orders from his agent very soon.
But in the meantime, there were tons of reactions to Ridley’s tweets and what it means that he was willing to risk millions of dollars in NFL money for a couple of thousands of dollars in bets.
If it’s $1500 in bets for Ridley, it cost him $11.1 million in 2022 salary. https://t.co/taUJHV2NZh
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 7, 2022
I have said these exact words to my wife multiple times.
I feel ya, Calvin. https://t.co/R1FXPBE0uL
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 7, 2022
This is what I say to my fiancee https://t.co/JDixzjXYLH
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) March 7, 2022
This tweet makes it sound like he's betting me $1500 that he doesn't have a gambling problem https://t.co/dJJ8fQfVnF
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) March 7, 2022
I first read this as him offering to bet $1,500 that he doesn't have a gambling problem https://t.co/2yFFqPc9oR
— David Hill (@davehill77) March 7, 2022
First-ballot Twitter Hall of Fame. https://t.co/4S0NzhLYKF
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) March 7, 2022
Missing out on millions and ruining your professional career to gamble $1500 might be a problem https://t.co/WdJM45inIh
— Zito (@_Zeets) March 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/CarmieV/status/1500942223910883333
This is point I was making before. League is so soaked in gambling, just sees what he did as no big deal. In his mind, wrongly, everyone is gambling and doing so in larger amounts, so just this little bit is cool. https://t.co/GwOPAmmpCT
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) March 7, 2022
Given how steeped in sports betting the NFL is from a sponsor and advertiser perspective, there’s a larger conversation to be had around the impact that has on the players. Not to mention how much high ground the NFL can really take when punishing others for involving themselves in gambling. Still, you can’t make bets on games when you’re playing in them. You just can’t.
Or at least, don’t be dumb enough to get caught…
Just have your wife or girlfriend or bro place your bets – like I'm sure a zillion other pro ballers are doing.
— Tim Ring (@timringTV) March 7, 2022
And for god’s sake, stop tweeting!
