Earlier this morning, ESPN Cleveland tweeted out speculation on the length of Cleveland Brown QB Deshaun Watson’s NFL suspension. Atlanta Falcons fans are in disbelief.
.@TheRealTRizzo: "As I heard from reliable sources. Right now, I'm hearing 4-6 games (suspension for Watson)." pic.twitter.com/RrBkxgQ1XX
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 12, 2022
The response from Atlanta Falcons and Calvin Ridley fans was swift:
Dude should never play another down in the league. Calvin Ridley is serving an entire year for a $1500 bet on a game he didn’t even play in. https://t.co/m91GOCjjvn
— Ben (@bhsportscardz) July 12, 2022
Ridiculous that he’s possibly getting the chance to play while Calvin Ridley is out the entire year for gambling on his team to win. lol https://t.co/yl3WknTVV6
— Benny K 😬 (@OhYeahBenny23) July 12, 2022
Falcons fans recall Ridley is currently on indefinite suspension to last at least the length of the 2022 season for betting on a game during the 2021 season.
Ridley claimed he only bet $1500, he didn’t have a gambling problem, and he was unable to watch the game he bet on. Ridley acknowledged he was wrong but a year was too harsh. Judging from the fan and media reaction above, he’s not alone.
There Is A Difference
Deshaun Watson currently faces 22 civil suits over allegations of sexual misconduct and assault. A grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, so civil suits are his only legal entanglement. Given the seriousness of the allegations against Watson and the minor nature of Ridley’s actions, the punishments do seem unfair. Sexual assault, especially serial sexual assault, is much more serious than a one-time gambling incident.
In the eyes of the NFL, though, Ridley’s actions are more serious and deserve a harsher punishment. The reason has to do with the integrity of the game. A player betting on games, specifically games involving his own team, causes people to question if the bet is fair. A player is assumed to have inside information and an edge over other bettors. If Ridley knows a teammate is more injured than he is letting on, he has an advantage.
An active player can influence the outcome of a game, which is especially egregious. When Ridley is actively playing in a game, one dropped pass or one slip and fall after a reception is all that is needed to affect the point spread. There are no allegations whatsoever that Ridley was involved with anything nefarious or was shaving points, but the possibility it might happen is enough for the NFL to come down like a ton of bricks.
Watson’s actions, while despicable and repugnant to anyone who reads about them, happened off the field of play away from the game. Watson’s alleged actions did not affect the integrity of any game. This is why Calvin Ridley forfeits $11.1 million over a $1500 bet while Deshaun Watson looks at a 4-6 game suspension.
