Calvin Ridley: “I need to step away from football at this time”

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons
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Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley became a late scratch from Sunday’s game against the Panthers, after participating in pregame warmups. During the game, Ridley posted a message on Twitter explaining the situation.

“These past few weeks have been very challenging and as much as I’d like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing,” Ridley said. “This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.

“I want to thank my teammates, the entire Atlanta Falcons organization, our great fans, my friends, and my gamily for all of their support during this time.”

Ridley missed the Week Five game against the Jets in London for personal reasons. He returned and played last week, after the bye.

We wish Calvin the best as he works through these issues, and we respect him for having the willingness to take some time to improve his overall health.

29 responses to “Calvin Ridley: “I need to step away from football at this time”

  1. Sadly being a rich,young athlete comes with pressure most rich young athletes aren’t mentally prepared for. That coupled with the assorted enablers and hangers on only exacerbate the rich young athletes issue.

  2. “He should know that he cost his team the game today against Carolina” == How ’bout you strap ’em up instead big boy. Really show ’em how a JV runner up does it on the national stage.

  3. Let’s all hope that he can get whatever is solved/fixed. Mental issues are no joke.

  4. Saints fan and Failcon hater here, but good luck solving the issues you or a loved one is facing.

  5. Good luck to Calvin! Hope you get it together!
    Hoping this isn’t a mental issue everyone that knows you saw and didn’t help with!
    Life is tough on everyone even the gifted!

  6. this generation of athletes are weak. imagine if they had to make it in the real world instead of being overpaid to play a game.

  7. It’s a shame that this is a real problem for some. Funny though that nobody on wining teams are having mental problems.

  8. Judging by some of the comments and thumbs up/ down , a lot of people still don’t have an understanding of mental health issues. Nor do they have the ability to feel empathy for their fellow human beings

  9. So sick of this becoming a normal thing in society. Everyone has mental health issues from time to time but that doesn’t give you a catch all to avoid your obligations. He has plenty of time during the week to seek counseling, psychiatric help. There are friends and loved ones you can talk to. Ironically being around people that care about you like teammates is usually the best thing for your mental health. I guess everyone else on the Falcons that might be dealing with worse issues than him are just chumps for showing up and doing their job

  10. Sorry, but, he is paid handsomely to work 6 months out of the year in a publicly funded entertainment industry. His job description literally requires him to talk to the press and engage with the fan base. He can ask for privacy; but, he signed away that right when he signed his contract.

    As a person, I hope he gets what he needs during his time off. As far as Ridley the football player; I wouldn’t want him on my favorite team. Obviously, I’m not a GM ( I’d be an upgrade for the Lions); but, in a scenario with $200 budget… I wouldn’t spend $20 on a tool that won’t start 25% of the time.

  11. Professional athlete? You let down your teammates, yet again. Maybe it’s justified, maybe it isn’t.

  12. jkb0162 says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:45 pm
    So sick of this becoming a normal thing in society. Everyone has mental health issues from time to time but that doesn’t give you a catch all to avoid your obligations.
    __________

    Sounds like you have a lot of mental health issues, most prominently the total lack of ability to feel empathy for your fellow humans.

  13. More proof that this young generation cannot handle life. Many people have problems at regular jobs that they cannot walk away from. What a joke.

  14. kinghercu says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:23 pm
    Can an employee at Taco Bell just step away? Just sayin.
    ______________

    Actually, yes they can, and they should if their health is at stake.

  15. There are some really disappointing messages on this board. No one gets to choose whether or not they have mental health issues. It is NOT about weakness. Or softness. Or wealth. Please educate yourself. If you don’t understand then YOU are the problem. Best wishes to Calvin Ridley, Lane Johnson, Darious Leonard and a number of other players, past and present, who have come forward to share their struggles.

  16. Gibsonia. I do have mental health issues and I see someone for them. I also work 50 to 60 hours a week while doing it. I don’t have the luxury of just talking off work for as long as I feel. Just like 90% of Americans. But you definitely showed your empathy with you comments

  17. Gibson45 I do have mental health issues and I see someone for them. I also work 50 to 60 hours a week while doing it. I don’t have the luxury of just talking off work for as long as I feel. Just like 90% of Americans. But you definitely showed your empathy with you comments

  18. gibson45 says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:58 pm
    jkb0162 says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:45 pm
    So sick of this becoming a normal thing in society. Everyone has mental health issues from time to time but that doesn’t give you a catch all to avoid your obligations.
    __________

    Sounds like you have a lot of mental health issues, most prominently the total lack of ability to feel empathy for your fellow humans.

    ——————

    Sounds like you are preaching for acceptance for mental health issues and you are going to go that route by insulting people you don’t agree with?

  19. If I’m dealing with mental health issues that impede me from performing, last place I want to be is on a football field with freight trains looking to line you up.

    Best to Calvin.. Get right

  20. kinghercu says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Can an employee at Taco Bell just step away? Just sayin.

    ——-

    Yes, they can. In fact that’s exactly what workers in the U.S have been doing since the pandemic. The time at home during lockdown helped people realize the important things in life.

  21. kinghercu says:
    October 31, 2021 at 4:23 pm
    Can an employee at Taco Bell just step away? Just sayin.

    —–

    Yes, people step away from working at Taco Bell. Sounds crazy, but it happens.

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