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Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans enters his second year with the team, he remarks that he’s found a better mental state after a series of injuries and a personal mental health journey, inclusive of a gambling suspension, which disrupted his career.
In an in-depth interview with ESPN, he elaborated on the significance of losing football in his life, playing through a fractured foot in 2020, the lessons learned throughout his journey, and a thorough examination of the gambling issue that caused him to sit out the entire 2022 season.
Ridley is now in his second year with the Titans, serving as the top receiver for the team. He has been named one of five captains by his fellow teammates. Since hitting what many would describe as a low point, Ridley has made a remarkable turnaround.
Pittsburgh Steelers and the Falcons.
«I downloaded the app not realizing I was breaking any rules,» Ridley shared. «Those were the only two NFL games I wagered on.»
He then missed the rest of that season, and by March 2022, the punishment for gambling was imposed.
Before the trade deadline during the 2022 season, Atlanta moved the suspended Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for conditional sixth-round picks in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2024.
«Football has been my occupation since childhood,» Ridley stated. «That’s all I ever did, man. I’ve never held a typical job.»
The time away helped Ridley develop coping mechanisms, and upon his return to the field, he recorded eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in his debut match. He completed the season with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Jaguars made an attempt to retain him, offering a contract that averaged around $20 million per year. However, Ridley elected to explore free agency, ultimately signing a four-year deal worth $92 million with the Titans. A challenging 3-14 season brought some tough moments for Tennessee, but Ridley concluded the season with 1,017 yards and four touchdowns from 64 receptions.
«I gained a lot of valuable skills during that tumultuous period,» Ridley reflected on those difficult years. «I still apply those lessons today when things get tough. I don’t let myself spiral too far down. I clear my mind of negative thoughts and refresh every time I return home.»
Philadelphia Eagles. The game took place in Atlanta, meaning Ridley’s wife, Dominique, and their then-1-year-old daughter were not at home. Security cameras captured several armed intruders looting the residence.
Dominique had trouble sleeping at night and felt uneasy whenever Ridley was away from home. Ridley began to feel overwhelming stress.
After two away games along with a home game, it became clear the injury to his foot wasn’t improving. Ridley requested time to heal both physically and mentally. His «mind was troubled» from wanting to protect his family and not being able to perform at his previous level.
The team permitted him to skip the Week 5 game, a 27-20 victory against the New York Jets in London. Following that game, the bye week offered Ridley two weeks to rest his foot. He returned in Week 7, but managed only four receptions for 26 yards. After five games, Ridley stepped back from football to prioritize his mental health.
«I never experienced that before,» Ridley admitted. «Mental health is serious.»
The current version of Ridley taking the field for the Titans is in a new mindset — he is enjoying football again. Much of his enthusiasm is fueled by the arrival of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, drafted as the No. 1 pick.
«I sensed something within me,» Ridley noted. «It’s like, this kid’s talented, and I need to rise to the occasion. I can’t lag behind. I have to contribute significantly. It’s time to excel.»
The partnership flourished during OTAs, minicamp, and training camp. Appropriately, Ward’s first completion in the preseason was a 27-yard pass to Ridley on a dig route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
«That kid is special,» Ward remarked. «I’ve never thrown to a receiver who moves and adjusts like he does. He’s one of the top five receivers in the NFL. I’m fortunate to play alongside him because he’s going to elevate my game.»
Turning things around wasn’t an easy task for Ridley, now 30, but Titans head coach Brian Callahan commented on his progress.
«There’s probably no one who practices as diligently as [Ridley] on a snap-to-snap basis,» Callahan stated Thursday regarding Ridley’s selection as one of the team captains. «He’s significantly developed his leadership skills. I’m genuinely proud of Rid and his accomplishments in that regard throughout the offseason. He truly deserves this, he’s earned it, and I’m pleased his teammates recognize that.»
