From sitting out a part of 2021 to suspension for Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons Weblog

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The 2021 season appeared to carry a lot promise for fifth-year Atlanta Falcons huge receiver Calvin Ridley, nevertheless it resulted in tumult. His 2022 marketing campaign is over earlier than it began, the results of a yearlong suspension handed down Monday by the NFL for playing on its video games.

Here’s a timeline of occasions for the previous first-round decide over the previous 10 months:

Might 3, 2021: The workforce picked up his fifth-year choice, guaranteeing Ridley $11.1 million for the 2022 season.

June 9, 2021: The Falcons traded away wideout Julio Jones, making Ridley the workforce’s prime receiver and, it appeared, all however assured he would get a long-term extension.

June 15, 2021: Ridley spoke to the media about his offseason foot surgical procedure that saved him from on-field work throughout OTAs and minicamp.

July 29, 2021: Ridley declared the foot wholesome in coaching camp however didn’t take part in any preseason video games.

Aug. 4, 2021: A superb day at follow along with his daughter.

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Sept. 12, 2021: Ridley opened the season with 5 catches for 51 yards in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sept. 19, 2021: Ridley hauled in seven passes for 63 yards and his first landing of the season in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Oct. 7, 2021: With the workforce on the brink of journey to London for a recreation in opposition to the New York Jets, Ridley declined to go due to what he deemed a private challenge.

Oct. 18, 2021: Ridley returned to the workforce after the Falcons’ bye week. Throughout that week, he spoke with the media and mentioned he felt his challenge was brief time period and that it was previous him.

Oct. 24, 2021: Ridley had 4 receptions for 26 yards and a landing on the Miami Dolphins. It turned out to be his final recreation of the season.

Oct. 31, 2021: Through the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s dwelling loss to the Carolina Panthers, Ridley introduced he was stepping away from the workforce indefinitely to work on his psychological well being. The Falcons supported Ridley all through the second half of the season, typically declining to remark apart from saying they have been supporting him.

Nov. 5, 2021: The Falcons put Ridley on the non-football damage listing.

Later in November: Ridley’s betting spree covers 5 days within the month and consists of parlays during which he included the Falcons to win.

Feb. 9: The Falcons have been knowledgeable the NFL was investigating Ridley for probably playing on video games.

March 7: The NFL introduced a suspension of no less than a yr in length for Ridley for betting on NFL video games.