Twitter reacts to Deshaun Watson and Calvin Ridley suspensions
By Nick Halden
Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for a full season earlier this year for violating the league’s gambling policy. The suspension was certainly harsh but there is no questioning that Ridley made a mistake. The mistake did happen while Ridley was away from the team taking time away from the league to address his mental health.
Ridley’s suspension is once again trending with the news of Deshaun Watson’s recommended six-game suspension being handed down.
Parties involved in the disciplinary hearing for #Browns QB Deshaun Watson have been informed by Judge Sue Robinson that Watson should be suspended 6 games, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2022
It is important to note here that Watson’s suspension is yet to be ruled on by the league itself the league can appeal or the commissioner can decide to use his ultimate authority. The third-party arbitrator simply recommended six games after reviewing the case now the NFL must decide if it will abide by that decision.
Watson’s recommended suspension has led to Calvin Ridley trending once again with his teammate asking for the league to lessen Ridley’s sentence.
Free my dawg!! pic.twitter.com/ce1Gx8BSLI
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) August 1, 2022
Patterson was far from the only one pointing out the Ridley suspension is odd in comparison to the six-game suspension recommended for Watson. The obvious difference was the third-party arbitrator used in the Watson case while Ridley’s suspension was handed down by the league itself.
Deshaun Watson was accused by 24 women of sexual misconduct and the NFL suspended him 6 games.
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) August 1, 2022
Calvin Ridley made some bets and the NFL suspended him a full season.
Meanwhile, Calvin Ridley is sitting out a full season for betting on a game he wasn't even playing in. https://t.co/ZamE0X0iRc
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) August 1, 2022
Calvin Ridley made a bet that his team will win a game in the NFL
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 1, 2022
He got suspended indefinitely, through at least the entire 2022 season and possibly more.
He also lost $11.1 million in salary.
Deshaun Watson meanwhile received 6 game suspension, he'll only lose less than $1M. https://t.co/hAt2Ft6TmJ
It is important to note here that the NFL can still change the Watson suspension but despite the social media reaction has made their ruling on Calvin Ridley. Changing their minds on a one-year suspension would be unprecedented and simply put isn’t going to happen.
Despite the severity of Ridley’s punishment, it is unlikely Atlanta will watch the receiver suit up before the 2023 season. Watson’s suspension was compared not only to Ridley’s situation but to recent rulings the league has made when it comes to losing salary and games lost.
Calvin Ridley suspended 1 YEAR for non-criminal betting on games
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 1, 2022
Mychal Kendricks suspended 8 games for insider trading
Myles Garrett suspended 6 games for ONE on-field fight
MLB's Trevor Bauer suspended 2 YEARS costing him $60M for non-criminal sexual assault allegations
The inconsistency in discipline by the NFL is always staggering and leaves many wondering.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 1, 2022
NFL suspensions:
— Tristen Kuhn (@KuhnTristen) August 1, 2022
Calvin Ridley: 17 games, betting
Vontaze Burfict: 12 games, targeting
DeAndre Hopkins: 6 games, PED
Martavis Bryant: Indefinitely, Weed
Josh Gordon: 25+ games, Weed
Darren Waller: 16 games, substance abuse
DeShaun Watson: 6 games, 25 SV accusations
The NFL will have three days to decide whether or not they will appeal Watson’s suspension. Calvin Ridley’s suspension unfortunately for Atlanta Falcons fans appears to be set in stone despite the social media backlash.
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