Titans’ Calvin Ridley reveals unexpected impact of betting scandal
After being suspended for the entire 2022 NFL season for violating the league’s gambling policy, the consensus seemed to be that Calvin Ridley’s playing career may have come to an end.
Fortunately for Ridley, he was able to bounce back with a vengeance by signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2023 campaign and having a 1,000-yard season with eight touchdowns. He also followed that up with another 1,000-yard season with the Tennessee Titans the following season, showing he can still be a star wide receiver in the NFL.
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Ridley recently opened up about his experience during the suspension and how he was able to come back stronger physically and mentally, via Turron Davenport of ESPN.
“The suspension gave me time to rest, get physically better, and mentally stronger,” Ridley told ESPN. “After that year, I was ready to come back.”
Ridley will have a chance to get another fresh start heading into the 2025 NFL season, as he will now be catching passes from No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, who has drawn high praise heading into his first year on the professional level.
Ward and Ridley could become a dynamic duo for the Titans, potentially making them a dark-horse team in the AFC South division. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has also praised the veteran wide receiver for his work ethic.
“There’s probably not a guy that practices as hard as [Ridley] on a snap-to-snap basis,” Callahan said Thursday on why Ridley was chosen to be one of the team captains. “He’s really grown in his leadership. I’m actually really proud of Rid and the things that he’s accomplished in that realm over the course of the offseason. He’s deserving of it, he has earned it, and I’m glad his teammates see it the same way.”
Only time will tell whether Ridley can continue to play at a high level moving forward, but he definitely has a chance to strike up something special with Ward.
