Calvin Ridley Betting Suspension: Details Emerge on Falcons WR Betting on His Own Team
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images. Pictured: Calvin Ridley
More details emerged on Friday regarding suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley and his sports betting habits on the NFL.
Ridley was suspended earlier this week when an NFL investigation found he had wagered on NFL games — including betting on his own team — while he was away from the team during November. Ridley's suspension is at least a year, at which point he can apply for reinstatement.
The NFL didn't reveal many specifics, but details were leaked throughout the day Monday when the suspension was announced. Ridley took to Twitter to partially explain himself, adding that he "bet 1500 total" and "I don't have a gambling problem."
However, that number is not quite accurate, according to multiple reports.
ESPN reported on Friday morning that Ridley placed three parlays risking $500 each — a three-teamer, five-teamer and eight-teamer. Those included bets that the Falcons would win, which they did against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ridley was not using his own sports betting account to bet on the NFL, ESPN reported. But because he was using a Florida app through the Hard Rock Casino outside the state, a geolocation violation triggered an investigation.
Additionally, Sports Handle reported Ridley's total wagers were $3,900 covering six bets. Five bets were parlays and one was on the Falcons team total, according to the report. That's more than what Ridley tweeted.
The maximum payout if a parlay hit would've been just over $144,000. Ridley's salary, which he will not get during his suspension, is over $11 million.
Sources told Action Network's Darren Rovell that the NFL was not surprised by the numbers differing from Ridley's tweet as league executives were aware of the extent Ridley bet before approaching him.
Ridley also reportedly bet on the NBA and other sports, which is legal according to the NFL's policy.
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