Calvin Ridley

Calvin Orin Ridley is an American football wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Calvin Ridley’s Early Life and Background

As a youngster, Ridley used to play Pop Warner football with other league players such as Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown, and Trayvon Mullen, amongst others. Ridley attended Monarch High School where he played high school football for the Knights. Ridley was considered a five-star recruit and committed to playing at the University of Alabama on April 19, 2014.

Ridley got immediate playing time as a freshman in 2015. He answered that trust with an eight-reception for 102 yards performance in the SEC Championship game, before winning the Cotton Bowl with 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Ridley led the SEC in receptions in 2015 with 89. In the 2016 season, Ridley tallied career highs of 11 receptions and 174 yards on October 1st. Over the rest of the season, he accumulated a further 41 receptions for 371 receiving yards and four touchdowns. In the 2017 season, Ridley started off strong and maintained that high level of play all the way to a National Championship victory.

Who Drafted Calvin Ridley?

On January 10, 2018, Ridley announced that he would forego his senior year at Alabama in favor of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ridley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round with the 26th overall pick.

Calvin Ridley’s NFL Journey

One of the more promising names to come through to the NFL, Calvin Ridley quickly made a name for himself thanks to a spectacular rookie season with the Falcons. Ridley made the All-Rookie Team and also set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie in his first four games. Continuing on with his stellar play, he also set Falcons’ franchise records with the most receiving touchdowns in a season by a rookie and the most receiving touchdowns in the first two games of a season. After an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, Ridley returned in the 2020 season with a vengeance, eventually earning second-team All-Pro honor.

However, Ridley was battling with some mental health issues and decided to take time off from football in 2021. Bad news struck Ridley as the NFL discovered that he had been betting on games in the previous season, including ones involving his own team. The league announced that Ridley was going to be indefinitely suspended through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season, thereby forfeiting his base salary of $11.1 m for 2022. Ridley returned for the 2022 season when the Falcons traded him to the Jaguars for a conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round pick.

Calvin Ridley teams

Atlanta Falcons (2018-2022)

The Atlanta Falcons picked Calvin Ridley in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was selected in the first draft round and eventually became the 26th overall pick. Ridley made his NFL debut against the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 3, Ridley scored seven receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns, against the New Orleans Saints.He continued his scintillating performances in the upcoming games too. Ridley followed up with four receptions for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns in just his next match. Ridley scripted history by collecting six touchdown receptions in September. It was the joint-most by a rookie in his first four games. For this, he was also awarded the Offensive Rookie of the Month.

In 2018, Ridley was the leading rookie in receiving yards and touchdowns. He was, thus, named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. With this, he became just the fourth Atlanta Falcons receiver to win this award. In 2019, Week 14, Ridley suffered an abdominal injury during the game against the Carolina Panthers. Due to the injury, he was ruled out of the entire season. Still, he finished the 2019 season with 63 receptions for 866 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns.

In Week 3 of 2020, Ridley made his third consecutive 100-yard game. He posted 5 receptions for 110 receiving yards against the Chicago Bears. His consistency was noteworthy for the Falcons. And Ridley was eventually named to the Associated Press All-Pro 2nd Team for the 2020 season. He finished the 2020 season with 90 receptions for 1,374 and nine receiving touchdowns. The Falcons could not let go of such a wonderful NFL prospect. So, in 2021, they exercised their fifth-year option on Ridley. In late October, Ridley stated on Twitter that he would be stepping away from football. He cited mental health reasons for this indefinite break. Ridley finished the season with 31 receptions for 281 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. The NFL announced on March 7, 2022, that Ridley would be suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on games in the previous season, including on his own team. He would thereby forfeit his base salary of $11.1M for 2022.

Jacksonville Jaguars (Present)

On November 1, 2022, despite being suspended for the whole 2022 season, the Falcons traded Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round picks. The 2023 pick can become a fifth-rounder if Ridley is reinstated. The 2024 pick can either become a third-rounder based on playing time or a second-round pick if he signs a long-term extension.

Calvin Ridley Awards and Honours

Calvin Ridley NFL Records

• Most receiving touchdowns by a rookie in his first four games: 6 (Tied with Martavis Bryant - 2014)

Falcons franchise records

• Most receiving touchdowns in a season by a rookie: 10

• Most receiving touchdowns in the first two games of a season: 4 (Tied with Andre Rison - 1994)

Calvin Ridley's Net Worth

Calvin Ridley’s net worth is $11 Million as of 2022, owing to his fairly decent success and popularity, for the right and wrong reasons. Ridley is also affiliated with a lot of brands through various endorsements such as Nike, Academy, AT&T, Pizza Hut, and others.

Calvin Ridley family

Calvin Ridley’s father’s name is Colin Ridley and his mother’s name is Kassna Daniels. His father is an American Soccer receiver. When Calvin was 7 Years Old, his father was deported to Guyana. He is the eldest of 4 brothers. His younger brother, Riley Ridley, played for the Chicago Bears. Riley was born Cavin Riley Ridley but now goes by his middle name. he has a fiance named Dominique Fitchard. For those curious, Fitchard is the co-owner of a hair extensions business, Hella Fly Hair Collection LLC. Likewise, Fitchard and Ridley got engaged in February 2019. The long-time girlfriend turned fiance is also the mother of Ridley’s child.

The couple has a daughter named Cree Michelle Ridley. She was born on June 27, 2020.