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Ridley can appeal the suspension. If it stands, he can petition
for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023.
Ridley bet on games over a five-day period in late November
while the 27-year-old was away from the team for personal
reasons, according to an NFL release.
"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," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter
to Ridley.
Following the league's announcement, NFL Network reported that
Ridley's bets involved the Falcons.
In its statement, the NFL said there was no evidence that Ridley
used inside information to place bets. There's also no evidence
that teammates or coaches were aware of his activity, the league
said.
Ridley responded Monday afternoon in a pair of tweets.
"I bet 1500 total I don't have a gambling problem," Ridley
wrote, followed by: "I couldn't even watch football at that
point."
Ridley forfeits his 2022 salary of $11.1 million.
On Oct. 31, Ridley announced that he was leaving the team to
"focus on my mental well-being." He had missed two games to that
point for what the club called personal reasons.
Ridley played in five games (all starts) last season. He
finished 2021 with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Since being selected No. 26 overall by the Falcons in the 2018
draft, Ridley has 248 catches for 3,342 yards and 28 TDs in 49
games (35 starts).
--Field Level Media
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