Calvin Ridley’s contribution to the worlds of football and gambling could look a little different this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that he hopes Ridley, who was suspended for the entirety of the 2022 season for gambling on games in 2021, will serve as a resource for other Jaguars players who might not understand the severity of gambling on games.
“Obviously what Calvin has gone through is definitely a testimony to the rest of our football team,” Pederson said.
“I don’t want to put Calvin in a spotlight situation, I don’t want to bring all this attention on him. But at the same time, I have mentioned to the team that if they’re going through anything or they’re tempted in any way, reach out to Calvin, he’d be a great resource to talk to.”
Ridley was suspended for gambling on games during the 2021 season while he was on the non-football injured list dealing with his mental health.
In an open letter published to the Players’ Tribune in March, he was honest about his decisions.
“I f–ked up,” he wrote. “I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. In 2021, I made the worst mistake of my life by gambling on football.”
After the suspension, Ridley tweeted that he had placed $1,500 in total bets.
The former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver was traded to the Jaguars at last year’s trade deadline for a “complex” package of draft picks, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported at the time.
In March of this year, the NFL reinstated Ridley following the one-year ban.
The 28-year-old receiver, who posted a career-high 1,374 receiving yards and was named to the All-Pro second team in 2020, will join a Jacksonville offense headlined by Trevor Lawrence that finished 10th last year in total yards.
It’s clear that Pederson wants Ridley to help with more than just on-field production.
“Obviously we’re at a day and age where gambling is everywhere,” the Jaguars coach said. “With all the websites that are out there, apps, and all that kind of stuff, we have to be very careful.”
Since Ridley’s suspension, NFL betting suspensions have continued to make headlines.
Four Detroit Lions players, including former first-round pick Jameson Williams, will miss the beginning or all of the 2023 season.