“Domestic abuse, drugs, we have alcohol, all way less than a year” - Former NFL executive takes issue with Calvin Ridley’s year-long suspension

Former Green Bay Packers Vice President of Player Finance and General Counsel Andrew Brandt discussed Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley’s year-long suspension on former NFL offensive guard Ross Tucker’s podcast.

Brandt told the former Buffalo Bills and Washington guard that he takes issue with the length of the suspension. He said:

“I have a problem with the year. We have guys that get in trouble for domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol that get way less than a year.”

The NFL suspended the Falcons receiver for the 2022 season for betting on games during the 2021 NFL season. Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to the receiver, mentioning the integrity of the game. He wrote:

“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success—and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league—than upholding the integrity of the game. This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. 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.”

The league said an NFL-led investigation revealed no evidence specifying that any inside information had any impact on games. According to the league, no coaches, players, or staff knew of the Atlanta receiver’s actions.

He bet more than $3,900 on six separate wagers, five of which involved the Falcons' games. One of those bets was a $1,300 in-game wager on the Falcons’ team total in the second half of their win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12.

Calvin Ridley’s career with the Falcons

2018 NFL Draft

The Falcons picked Ridley in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and started just six games in his rookie season. In the 2020 season, he was on the AP All-Pro second team as he finished tied for fifth with Packers receiver Davante Adams with 1,374 receiving yards. Ridley ranked in the top 10 on the touchdown catches list with nine and was in the top 15 in receptions with 90.

In five games in the 2021 season, he had 31 receptions with 281 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In October of last season, the receiver left the team due to mental health issues.

Ridley won’t be eligible to apply for league reinstatement until February 15, 2023.