Calvin Ridley's time with Atlanta Falcons likely will end with gambling suspension - Atlanta Falcons Blog- ESPN

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley stood in front of the table off to the side of the practice field that October afternoon, answering questions about why he didn’t travel with the team to London, he said he knew it would be a short-term break.

No one could have expected, at the time, it might be the last time Ridley would talk as a member of the Falcons. But after Monday’s news announcing Ridley has been suspended for at least a year for gambling on games in November, it’s hard to see there being any other outcome.

That his contract is pushed back a year probably won’t matter at this point. How could the Falcons trust Ridley again? Never mind that Atlanta put its full support behind Ridley as he worked through mental health struggles.

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Never mind that the team stood by him when he abruptly stepped away from the game — and his teammates — 24 hours before the Falcons would play, and lose to, the Panthers in October. But now, when he was away, when the team was offering him as much support as it could, Ridley was doing one of the things every player in every sport knows you’re not supposed to do.

You cannot bet on games in the sport you play. Period.

What was Ridley thinking at the time? Other than tweets sent after the announcement on Monday — in which he admitted to gambling — we don’t truly know. And regarding whatever Ridley issues continues to deal with, you hope he’s getting help.

But he also has to know this was one of the ultimate no-nos. There are signs posted nearly everywhere in locker rooms. There are