Titans' Calvin Ridley: Suspension made me 'mentally stronger' - ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley heads into Year 2 with the franchise, he said he's in a better headspace in his life after injuries and a mental health journey, which included a gambling suspension, derailed his career.

In a detailed interview with ESPN, he discussed what losing football meant to him, as well as playing through a broken foot in 2020, what he has learned along the way and a detailed look at the gambling situation that led to him missing the 2022 season.

Ridley is entering his second season with the Titans and is the team's No. 1 receiver. He is one of five captains voted upon by his teammates. Ridley has come full circle since hitting what some would consider to be rock bottom.

«The suspension gave me time to rest, get physically better, and mentally stronger,» Ridley told ESPN. «After that year, I was ready to come back.»

At Ridley's request, the Falcons gave him time away from football. He was able to rehab his foot and take care of his mental health. It also gave him time to connect with family.

But on this one particular trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, things took a turn. Ridley spent time with his younger brothers, Riley and Clayton, and that's when his gambling incident took place. He watched basketball on a Friday night with his brother and some friends who were placing bets on games via an app.

Ridley joined them and made wagers, and it rolled over to college football games the next day. Then Sunday rolled around, and Ridley placed wagers on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Falcons.

«I downloaded the app sitting there not knowing that I was breaking a rule or anything,» Ridley said. «Those were the only two NFL games I bet.»

He would go on to miss the rest of