Calvin Ridley, another ex-Alabama WR, is just back from sports betting suspension

FILE: On Monday, August 9, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch during the team’s NFL training camp football practice. Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season for placing bets on NFL games during the 2021 season. On Monday, March 7, 2022, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced a ban for actions that Ridley took while away from the team attending to mental health issues.(AP Image/File: John Bazemore)

ALLEN PARK — Jameson Williams and his teammates aren’t the first and probably won’t be the last to receive a suspension for this in the new world where sports gambling is always available at your fingertips.

The Detroit Lions wide out is currently following in the footsteps of another exceptionally gifted former Alabama wide receiver. The circumstances surrounding Calvin Ridley were more severe; the wide receiver for the Jaguars lost an entire season after receiving an extended suspension for placing bets on sports, including NFL games and his own team. An key note to note is that Williams loses six games to begin Year 2 of sports betting, excluding the NFL. The league’s boundary for player wagering is within the team facility, where Williams famously made his wagers.

But the point at which Ridley and Williams’ careers converge is during the missed time from injuries that resulted in these protracted bans for sports wagering.

After leaving the Atlanta Falcons in October 2021, Ridley hasn’t appeared on the pitch. Williams’ debut season began with just 11 games missed. In addition, he was absent from training camp, joint practices, minicamp, organised team activities, and the preseason to start his career. During the next six extremely brief appearances, he caught one pass on nine targets.

But both have displayed moments of excellence. In his final full season in 2020, Ridley caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Williams may already be the league’s fastest wide receiver. In 2021, he had 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns while playing for Alabama. Williams gained more than 40 yards on both of his NFL touches as a rookie, despite his limitations.

There was an additional level of mystery around Ridley’s experience because he had to apply for reinstatement following his indefinite suspension. After six games, Williams is expected to return and won’t have to reapply for reinstatement. That’s still a good amount of time away from the match and the developing squad.

They never once crossed paths or played together in Tuscaloosa. However, players are connected by the NFL and the game, particularly those who play the same position and attend the same university. With their comparable career paths, elite talent, and first-round billing, it will be interesting to watch if the two Alabama players click in the upcoming months.

With just five NFL players suspended for sports wagering prior to Friday’s announcement, the situation is exceptional. It has been sixty years since a Lions player was suspended for sports betting. Due to his NFL wagering, Alex Karras missed the 1963 season as a member of the Lions.

Josh Shaw, a defensive back, received an indefinite suspension in 2020 for placing a wager on an NFL game. In the end, he missed 21 games before being allowed to return in March 2021. Miles Austin, the coach of the Jets receivers and a former NFL wide receiver, was suspended indefinitely in December 2022 for sports betting. Absent an appeal, he will be out of commission for at least a year.

However, Ridley claimed he improved himself during his time away from the game in order to move closer to “being Calvin Ridley.” This allegedly includes seeing Jacksonville’s offence score double digits on each play. At the onset of Jacksonville’s offseason programme, Ridley was present and exuded gratitude for the fresh start following his difficulties and suspension.