Calvin Ridley Placed On Inactive Due To Personal Matter
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley is taking a break from football to concentrate on his mental health and wellbeing.
Calvin Ridley has been dealing with a ‘personal issue’ since the beginning of October. He didn’t travel with the team to London for the game against the New York Jets on October 10.
Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers was the second game Calvin Ridley (26) missed this season.
Head coach Arthur Smith learned of Ridley’s unavailability on Sunday morning.
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“Calvin’s dealing with something personal,” Smith said. “And it’s going to remain personal on my end. Calvin’s statement speaks for him, and so when we got here today, we talked and put him inactive.”
“These past few weeks have been very challenging and as much as I’d like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing,” Ridley said in a statement on Twitter. “This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.”
Ridley doesn’t anticipate being out for long. However, he wouldn’t be drawn on the reasons behind his absence.
“I mean, in today’s world, me personally, it shouldn’t matter, you should mind your business,” Ridley said. “But in today’s world, yeah, I do. To me, if I say it’s personal, that means it’s personal.”
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“We are keeping him in our prayers and any time one of our brothers is hurting, we’re hurting as well,” veteran WR Tajae Sharpe said.Â
“So we feel for Calvin and are here for him whenever he needs us and whenever he’s ready to get back to playing football.
“But obviously his mental health is number one and the safety of his family and his health. So whatever he needs from us, we’re going to support no matter what and we’re just going to try to do our job while he’s away until we can get him back.”
