If Calvin Ridley had never been suspended, the Falcons and Eagles would appear very different.
Do you know what the butterfly effect is? If not, allow me to briefly recap: the idea describes how a seemingly insignificant choice or incident—like a butterfly flapping its wings—can have a profound effect on events that transpire in the future. This idea can be used to explain Calvin Ridley’s modest choice to place a bet in 2021.
As you are probably aware, the standout wide receiver for the Falcons took a mental health leave from football back in 2021. He made a choice during his break for which he later expressed regret: he bet on NFL games. His future team, the Jaguars, played his present team, the Falcons, in one of those games. That small choice fundamentally altered the course of numerous
Recall that in March of 2022, unexpected news broke that wide receiver Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons had been suspended by the NFL indefinitely for gambling and would not even be eligible for reinstatement until the following year. We were all genuinely surprised by that, to put it mildly.
Recall that in March of 2022, unexpected news broke that wide receiver Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons had been suspended by the NFL indefinitely for gambling and would not even be eligible for reinstatement until the following year. We were all genuinely surprised by that, to put it mildly.
Shortly after Calvin Ridley’s indefinite ban was announced, NFL writer Jay Glazer said that the Philadelphia Eagles were in good position to sign the superstar wide receiver from the Atlanta Falcons.
Let’s now consider how things may be different if Calvin Ridley never placed a wager on a game or, dare I say it, if he were able to do so without getting caught.
First things first: it was reported that a first-round pick would be the starting price. In the NFL Draft of 2022, the Falcons would have most likely received an additional first-round pick. We can’t be certain of the precise pick that it would have been, but it’s safe to assume that it would have been at least the 18th overall.
The Eagles had multiple first-round picks, and they traded for A.J. Brown with one of them, which is why. That’s not a coincidence; Ridley was their first choice when they were obviously in need of assistance at receiver. In exchange for Brown, they also sent the Titans the 101st selection.
Several players, including Quay Walker,
and Kenny Pickett, would have been available for Atlanta at pick 18. Additionally, it seems to me that they may have thought about trading up to choose Kyle Hamilton, who ultimately went to the Ravens at pick 14.
