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Calvin Ridley is looking to get back to the NFL. The wide receiver was suspended for gambling on pro football games in 2021.
Those wagers were placed while Ridley was away from the league, taking a leave of absence to deal with his mental health. Despite his not being with the Falcons at the time of placement, it cost him his entire 2022 season.
Now, he’s taken the first step in his return.
Calvin Ridley applied for reinstatement earlier this week in hopes of making his Jacksonville debut in 2023. He was traded from the Falcons to the Jaguars last season.
His future will now be in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell.
The original suspension was indefinite and called for at least a full season out of the league. Many believed that to be a harsh punishment for a five-day, $1,500 mistake, especially considering Deshaun Watson received a lesser penalty after being accused of sexual misconduct from nearly 30 different women.
That removal from the NFL cost him $11 million in salary, but now, he’s hoping to make it back.
Fans are reacting to his reinstatement request, with many eager to see him back on the playing field.
One fan wrote, “Should never have been suspended in the first place.”
Another said, “The Jaguars are going to be scary with Calvin Ridley.”
The pass catcher hopes to join a Jaguars wideout room that includes Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Marvin Jones, Jr. Behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville saw massive improvement, winning the AFC South and making an appearance in the divisional round of the postseason.
That playoff run included a 27-point comeback against the Chargers in the wildcard round that was one of the largest in NFL history. They’ll now look to build upon the nine-win campaign in 2023.
We’ll soon find out if that will include Calvin Ridley or not.