"Anyone else noticing a pattern here?" - Fans call out NFL for punishing Calvin Ridley but not Aaron Rodgers
The NFL came down hard on Calvin Ridley for betting on NFL games, yet only slapped Aaron Rodgers on the wrist for lying about his vaccination status. This has not been lost on several NFL fans, with some saying it simply isn't right.
A fan named Matt took to his Twitter page and posted quite interesting information.
They wrote:
"Calvin Ridley: endangered no one, got suspended by the NFL. Colin Kaepernick: endangered no one, got blacklisted by the NFL. Aaron Rodgers: endangered people, got a slap on the wrist from the NFL. Anyone else noticing a pattern here?"
-Calvin Ridley: endangered no one, got suspended by the NFL
-Colin Kaepernick: endangered no one, got blacklisted by the NFL
-Aaron Rodgers: endangered people, got a slap on the wrist from the NFL
Anyone else noticing a pattern here?
It is certainly an interesting thought that the fans have put forth. A player gambling is a big no-no and puts the league's integrity into question and hence Ridley got suspended. According to some, Colin Kaepernick, who protested against police brutality, was blacklisted by the NFL.
Then there was Aaron Rodgers, who lied about his vaccination status, potentially endangering people, and got away with a slap on the wrist.
Other fans were quick to point it out as well on Twitter. Even going as far as saying there is a double standard in the NFL.
@nosoupforgeorge I know very little about the NFL. I'm going to write this right now (not googling):
Calvin Ridley must be... Black?
(Googling now.)
Well, no shit, whaddya know? Would it be very CRT of me to think there might be, well, kind of a double standard in the NFL?
Another fan posted that the NFL is sponsored by betting companies, and in the pregame shows, they put up the betting spreads.
@FunkyDrummer8 @nosoupforgeorge LOL!!! While the NFL now SPONSORS betting - corporations, leagues, apps, etc. They even POST the betting spreads on their pre-game shows! LOL!!! B/c, sure, "the legitimacy" of the entire league. LOL!!!
One Twitter user posted Rodgers did more damage than Ridley and Kaepernick.
@minerjpb @nosoupforgeorge Either way, Rodgers did more damage than Kaep or Ridley... the damage that came from BLM is due to people like Trump and other white figures who say racism doesn't exist while millions of POC stated how it does exist.
Another fan wrote that Rodgers endangered many people and was rewarded and celebrated for his behavior and was also handed the MVP award.
@nosoupforgeorge @AaronRodgers12 didn't get a slap on the wrist for lying and endangering 100s, if not 1,000s, of people. Instead, he was celebrated and rewarded with honors. Indeed, in the immediate wake of his repugnant behavior, the league determined that he was the NFL's Most Valuable Player.
A fan named Lauryne Wright wrote that it is incredible that people remain oblivious to racism in the NFL.
@nosoupforgeorge It is amazing how many people willfully choose to remain oblivious to the racism in the NFL. Justifying actions that should be indefensible.
Another fan posted that there is a double standard in the league and that the NFL needs a new commissioner.
@nosoupforgeorge Ridley broke the rules, big time. He deserves what he got. But, you are right about Rodgers and Kaepernick and others. There is a double standard. We need a new commissioner or something more substantial to clean up the league.
One fan pointed out that Ridley and Kaepernick endangered the league's revenue stream while Rodgers didn't, seemingly saying that the NFL is only worried about making money.
@nosoupforgeorge Calvin Ridley: endangered the NFL’s revenue streams.
Colin Kaepernick: endangered the NFL’s revenue stream.
Aaron Rodgers: did not endanger the NFL’s revenue stream.
We all know the answer.
Calvin Ridley suspended for 2022 season for betting
The 27-year-old receiver was suspended for a year after he was found betting on football games that included the Atlanta Falcons. According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the receiver used a gambling app in Florida. A company called Genius, hired by the league to monitor gambling activity, was then notified about the wagers.
1963 Alex Karras NFL Players Suspended for Gambling:
🏈1963 Alex Karras
🏈1963 Paul Hornung
🏈1983 Art Schlichter
🏈2019 Josh Shaw
🏈2022 Calvin Ridley
The wide receiver took time away from the game last season to focus on his mental health,, and it appears that the he will need further help in his battle. The Falcons star became just the fifth NFL player suspended for betting on football games.