Sun Aug 31 15:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Titans WR Calvin Ridley Reflects on Tumultuous Past, Eyes Redemption in Tennessee**
**Nashville, TN -** Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley is opening up about the personal and professional challenges that threatened to derail his promising NFL career. In a recent interview with ESPN, Ridley discussed the foot injury that plagued him, the 2022 suspension that sidelined him for a year, and the mental toll it all took.
Ridley, who had a breakout season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, revealed he played through a fractured foot that year. However, the pain worsened, limiting him to just five games in 2021. The following offseason brought even more turmoil as the NFL suspended Ridley for betting on NFL games.
“I downloaded the app sitting there not knowing that I was breaking a rule or anything,” Ridley stated, emphasizing his lack of awareness regarding the NFL’s gambling policy. The suspension cost him an entire season and a significant financial loss.
The challenges extended beyond the field. Ridley’s home in Atlanta was robbed during this period, further exacerbating his struggles. “If your mental ain’t good, your confidence isn’t there anymore,” Ridley admitted, underscoring the importance of mental well-being.
After being traded from Atlanta to Jacksonville, Ridley now finds himself in Tennessee, where he’s embraced a leadership role as a team captain. With rookie quarterback Cam Ward as his potential new running mate, Ridley is determined to turn the page and write a new chapter.
“This could be the next great QB-WR tandem in the league,” said a statement from the Titans organization. “If that happens, it would be one of the best redemption stories the NFL has seen.”
As Ridley prepares for his second season with the Titans, he hopes to leave the past behind and focus on a brighter future, both on and off the field. His journey is a testament to resilience and the power of second chances.
First Piper 