To the NFL: Justice for all, not just some
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley bet $1500 on NFLgames and lost $11.1 million. He might not be the worst gambler in the world, but he might be the dumbest.
The NFLsuspended Ridley onMonday for at least the 2022 seasonafter it learned he had madeparlay bets on three, five and eight games in November, including wagers on theFalcons to win. It is the No. 1rule in any sport that players can’tbet on their sport. Ridley, aformer No. 1 pick from Alabama,will forfeit the $11.1 millionsalary that was due from theFalcons on his fifth-year option.
“Thereis nothing more fundamentalto the NFL’s success— and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league— than upholding the integrityof the game,” Roger Goodellwrote in a letter to Ridley.“This is the responsibilityof every player, coach, owner,game official and everyoneelse employed in the league.Your actions put the integrityof the game at risk, threatenedto damage public confidencein professional footballand potentially underminedthe reputations of your fellowplayers throughout the NFL.
“Fordecades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy, warranting the most substantial sanction .”
A lot of people think the punishment doesn’t fit Ridley’s crime, that it is way too onerous. They point out how this isn’t 1963 when prominent NFL players Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were suspended for gambling and how it isn’t 1969 when Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath had to give up his interest in a Manhattan nightclub because it was frequented by what the league determined were shady characters. No, times really have changed. The NFL, along with every other pro sports league, has climbed into bed with the gambling companies. Former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle must be rolling in his grave.
Iget it if you are among thosewho think the NFL is hypocritical because of the moneyit makes from the gamingsites. The league oozes hypocrisy.
ButI have no problem with Rid le y’ s punishment. A huge signhangs in every locker roomand clubhouse warning playersthat gambling on their sportis strictly forbidden. It reallyis the No. 1 rule in sports.That’s why I have no sympathyfor Pete Rose, who wasbanned from baseball in 1989after proof that he bet on hisgames. I don’t think he shouldget into the Hall of Fame.Ever.
ButI do wish Goodell wouldhandle discipline of the NFLowners with the same firmhand. Talk about underminingthe integrity of the game.Those billionaires are trueTeflon men. They can do anythingand go virtually unpunished.I think about:
•New England Patriots ownerRobert Kraft, who avoidedtwo misdemeanor chargesof soliciting prostitutionin 2019 when a Florida courtruled video of him payingfor sex at a Florida day spa wasinadmissible in court. Thatleft Goodell, who had put onhis sternest face and said “thepersonal conduct policy appliesto everybody,” off the hookfrom disciplining Kraft. Krafthad pleaded not guilty in thecase but did issue a public apologyfor his actions.
•Washington Commandersowner Daniel Snyder, who ranan organization that …
Let’sallow a statement fromthe NFL in July to describeSnyder’s horrific ownership:
“For many years, the workplace environment at the Washington Football Team, bothgenerally and particularlyfor women, was highly unprofessional. Bullying and intimidation frequently took placeand many described the cultureas one of fear, and numerousfemale employees reportedhaving experienced sexualharassment and a generallack of respect in the workplace. Ownership and senior management paid little orno attention to these issues. In some instances, senior executives engaged in inappropriate conduct themselves, of de meaning language and public embarrassment .”
Andthe punishment for Snyder?
Hewas fined $10 million by theNFL, a tiny slice of his financial fortune, estimated at $4billion. No written report from the league’ s investigation into the matter has been released.
•Dallas Cowboys owner JerryJones, who settled with four of the team’s cheerleaders for $2.4 million after they accused former team executive Rich Dalrymple of voyeurismin 2015. The NFL didn’t bother to investigate, calling this a club matter.
• Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who was accused last month of offering $100,000 per loss to former coach Brian Flores in 2019 in order for the team to get a higher draft pick. Ross has denied the allegations, calling them “false, malicious and defamatory” and saying he is a man of “honor and integrity.” Flores has joined the Steelers as an assistant coach since filing a lawsuit against the NFL, accusing the league of systematic racism in its hiring of Black head coaches. Goodell called the accusation against Ross “very disturbing” and promised a thorough investigation. You probably shouldn’t hold your breath that will happen.
Considering Rid ley got at leasta year for his bets, Ross, if guiltyof Flores’ charge, shouldbe forced to sell the Dolphinsand be banned from theNFL for life.
Allin the name of upholdingthe integrity of the game, right, commissioner Goo dell?