Calvin Ridley placed his bets using a legal sports gambling app, and that is how the Atlanta Falcons receiver was caught violating a serious NFL rule.
The NFL announced on Monday that Ridley has been suspended for at least the entire 2022 season after he gambled on NFL games. Many wondered how he league found out about Ridley’s wagers, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo shared the answer.
Ridley placed several parlay bets between Nov. 23 and Nov. 28 using the Hard Rock Sportsbook app. He was in Florida at the time, where sports betting is legal. The bets were flagged.
From our breaking news coverage on @nflnetwork: The NFL made it clear they’d be able to work with their gambling partners to gather information on potential violations by players and team employees. That’s how Calvin Ridley was caught. pic.twitter.com/0437jOcovs
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2022
“The NFL was made aware of it and conducted an investigation, and through their gambling partners were able to corroborate the information,” Garafolo said. “Remember, when the NFL did announce their gambling partnership within the last couple of years they did make the statement saying we will be able to work with our partners to make sure the integrity of the game is upheld.”
The NFL partners with Genius Sports Group, which provides data and compliance information. Genius helped corroborate the information from Hard Rock after Ridley’s wagers were flagged.
This is from the press release announcing Genius Sports Group as the NFL’s exclusive distributor of sports betting data to media companies and sports betting operators. Genius was able to corroborate information from Hard Rock, with whom Calvin Ridley placed his bets. pic.twitter.com/qoutElxv17
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2022
Because Ridley bet parlays, which involve multiple teams, the NFL determined he did not use inside information. The belief is that he would have bet on a single game if he had some sort of inside info.
Ridley sent a couple of tweets trying to explain the situation, but the NFL clearly did not have any sympathy for him. His suspension will serve as a warning for players and coaches around the league.
Photo: Oct 18, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) completes a touchdown reception on a pass from quarterback Matt Ryan (not pictured) against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
