Calvin Ridley
FILE - Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Detroit. The NFL has suspended five players for violating the league’s gambling policy on Friday, April 21, 2023. Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were suspended indefinitely, while Lions wide receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams have been suspended six games. (AP Photo/Leon Halip, File)
NFL suspends 5 players for violating gambling policy

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 21, 2023 11:47 AM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. By the time Calvin Ridley first stepped on a practice field with Trevor Lawrence a few weeks ago, he felt as if he already had played a full season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s because Ridley watched every snap Jacksonville took last season “10 or 12 times” while wrapping up his yearlong suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy..(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Jags' Ridley thinks he could be better after lengthy layoff

By Mark Long Apr. 19, 2023 04:21 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley on Monday, March 6, 2023, clearing the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville. The league said Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team activities beginning immediately. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
NFL reinstates Jaguars WR Ridley after gambling suspension

By Mark Long Mar. 06, 2023 02:39 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) speaks with Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Lawrence, Jags ready to run it back after late-season surge

By Mark Long Jan. 23, 2023 02:57 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) makes a catch over Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Marvin Jones provides surehanded 'security blanket' for Jags

By Mark Long Jan. 04, 2023 07:15 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) is pressured by Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) as he looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Falcons, Commanders meet in matchup of mobile quarterbacks

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 05:59 PM EST

FILE - People line up to make sports bets at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, N.J., March 19, 2021. Gambling has gone from the forbidden topic in the NFL to a key part of the league's present and future. The days of lobbying against widespread legalized sports betting, preventing broadcast partners from even discussing point spreads and even prohibiting players from holding a fantasy football convention because it was at a casino are firmly in the past. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)
Once forbidden, gambling now embraced by NFL

By Josh Dubow Nov. 22, 2022 01:10 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) runs the ball as Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. Ridley is getting a fresh start in Jacksonville, although it's unclear when he will be allowed to play again. The Jaguars made a complex deal to land Ridley just before the NFL trading deadline Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Jags confident in 'due diligence' done before Ridley trade

By Mark Long Nov. 02, 2022 06:02 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (22) runs against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Record-setting 12 players dealt on NFL trade deadline day

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 01, 2022 06:13 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) runs the ball as Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. Ridley is getting a fresh start in Jacksonville, although it's unclear when he will be allowed to play again. The Jaguars made a complex deal to land Ridley just before the NFL trading deadline Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons trade suspended WR Ridley to Jaguars in complex deal

By Mark Long Nov. 01, 2022 04:06 PM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross gestures at the end of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, on Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The NFL has suspended Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fined him $1.5 million for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton following a six-month investigation stemming from Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the league. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, FIle)
Column: NFL lets bad boy owners get off with slap on wrist

By Paul Newberry Aug. 05, 2022 04:20 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Casey Hayward (29) looks on during the NFL football team's training camp on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons defensive guru Pees determined to raise expectations

Aug. 01, 2022 04:10 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Auden Tate takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons open camp with low expectations, open positions

By George Henry Jul. 27, 2022 02:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) work during their NFL minicamp football practice, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mariota favored over rookie Ridder in Falcons QB camp derby

By The Associated Press Jul. 15, 2022 11:33 AM EDT

FILE - Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher speaks to reporters in Cleveland on March 12, 2020. With sports betting now legal in more than half the states and generating millions in revenue for once-apprehensive professional sports leagues, college conferences are starting to explore ways to cash in, too. The MAC was the first to jump in, selling the rights to its data and statistics to a company called Genius Sports, which will in turn sell it to sportsbooks. Steinbrecher said it is impossible to ignore the changing reality. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
College sports eye gambling money amid safeguard concerns

By Ralph D. Russo May. 26, 2022 02:23 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick wide receiver Drake London (5) runs during NFL rookie minicamp football practice, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons acquire WR Edwards from Raiders, cut CB Sheffield

May. 13, 2022 06:16 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick wide receiver Drake London (5) runs during NFL rookie minicamp football practice, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' London embraces health, contract at rookie minicamp

By Charles Odum May. 13, 2022 04:15 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons first-round NFL football draft pick Drake London, center, a wide receiver from USC, holds up his jersey with general manager Terry Fontenot, left, and head coach Arthur Smith, right, at the team's practice facility Friday, April 29, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Falcons release RB Mike Davis after disappointing season

By Paul Newberry May. 02, 2022 04:01 PM EDT

FILE - Southern California wide receiver Drake London runs for a touchdown against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. London was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Falcons draft USC WR London, get much-needed big-play threat

By Charles Odum Apr. 28, 2022 09:25 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota participates in an offseason conditioning program at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
2023 QB class may influence Falcons' direction in NFL draft

By Charles Odum Apr. 22, 2022 05:47 PM EDT