Calvin Ridley
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 19 hrs ago

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

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and Feleipe Franks participate 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)
With QB decision in spotlight, Falcons need WR, edge rusher

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:53 AM EDT

Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates while cutting the net after an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won the Pac-12 Conference Championship. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hoop hype: March Madness brackets get America talking again

By Eddie Pells Mar. 15, 2022 10:59 AM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, to serve as a senior defensive assistant. The hiring comes less than three weeks after Flores sued the NFL and three teams over alleged racist hiring practices following his dismissal by Miami in January. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Column: National Hypocrisy League shows true colors again

By Paul Newberry Mar. 11, 2022 06:05 PM EST

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. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch during the team's NFL training camp football practice Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Analysis: NFL's monitoring of betting must never fall short

By Barry Wilner Mar. 09, 2022 02:19 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch during the team's NFL training camp football practice Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Column: 1 betting rule remains sacrosanct in the NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Mar. 08, 2022 02:14 AM EST

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. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons WR Ridley suspended for '22 for bets on NFL games

By Charles Odum Mar. 07, 2022 03:53 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games

Mar. 07, 2022 03:43 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games. ...

FILE - Atlanta Falcons fans cheer for Matt Ryan and Calvin Ridley from the hill overlooking the practice fields during the fourth day of NFL football training camp practice on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says the team must have a succession plan at quarterback even while counting on Matt Ryan to continue as the starter in 2022. The Falcons face more complicated decisions at wide receiver, where Calvin Ridley's status remains uncertain. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
Falcons' owner Blank: Must plan for QB Ryan's successor

By Charles Odum Feb. 10, 2022 11:31 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley practices before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Once taboo topics such a battles with anxiety, depression or addictive behaviors are no longer suppressed and athletes around the world are speaking up: Calvin Ridley of the Falcons and Lance Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles both took leaves of absences from their teams (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Falcons GM Fontenot not ready to give up on Ridley for 2022

By Charles Odum Jan. 11, 2022 07:47 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Smith predicts 'better days' for Falcons after 7-10 finish

By Charles Odum Jan. 10, 2022 03:17 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (92) celebrates after the team scored on a safety during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Falcons see promising future as playoff hopes end with loss

By Mark Ludwiczak Jan. 02, 2022 08:01 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback C.J. Henderson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Falcons' Gage emerging as Ryan's latest go-to wide receiver

By Charles Odum Dec. 22, 2021 04:42 PM EST

FILE - Simone Biles watches gymnasts perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka were not the first elite athletes to struggle with their own mental health, but their public admissions this year spotlighted a crisis not often addressed in the sporting world. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Mental health among athletes spotlighted in tumultuous 2021

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 22, 2021 09:56 AM EST