After serving a year suspension, Calvin Ridley can apply for reinstatement into the National Football League.
As a former Alabama wide receiver, Ridley got selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
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He posted two 800+ yard receiving seasons in 2018 and 2019 before having a career year in 2020. Ridley exploded with 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in his third season. He played five games in 2021 before stepping away because of mental health issues. The Falcons picked up the fifth-year option on Ridley’s contract before he stepped away in 2021, and he was expected to make $11.1 million in 2022. He would be suspended indefinitely for the 2022 season after betting on games in 2021, forfeiting his $11.1 million salary. Ridley got traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 1, 2022, despite being suspended.
Atlanta received a conditional sixth-round pick for 2023 and 2024 fourth-round picks.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Ridley can apply for reinstatement.
Today is the first day that Jaguars’ WR Calvin Ridley can apply for reinstatement.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 15, 2023
❤️
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) February 15, 2023
Ridley family is overly ready 🙏🏾 ❤️
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) February 15, 2023
Ridley is excited to return to football and play for the Jaguars. The South Florida native was a former five-star in the 2015 signing class for Alabama. He assisted the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship as a freshman. Ridley caught 89 passes for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. He earned freshman All-American honors (2015) and first-team All-SEC honors (2017). He was a two-time CFP National Champion in 2015 and 2017.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
