Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said last month he would “love” for star wide receiver Calvin Ridley to stay with the team after the 27-year-old stepped away from the club and from playing on Halloween to address his mental health. 

Ridley didn’t play again through the second half of the 2021 season, and his story took an unexpected turn Monday afternoon when the NFL announced he has been suspended through at least the entire 2022 campaign for betting on league games this past fall. 

“The activity took place during a five-day period in late November 2021 while Ridley was away from the team and away from the club’s facility on the non-football illness list,” the league’s website explained. 

NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano added: