What Calvin Ridley’s Next Chapter With the Jaguars Means to Him

Recently reinstated after a one-year gambling suspension, Ridley is ready again to hit the gridiron.

Author Oscar Auliq-Ice once said everything you’ve ever worked for can go to waste with one wrong decision. While everything has not gone to waste with veteran NFL wideout Calvin Ridley, one mistake did temporarily halt what has been a solid career for Jacksonville’s newest wideout.

Time away from something one loves can often be a challenging idea, whether voluntary or forced. Bouncing back from adversity is another challenge that must be conquered along the way. For Ridley, his year-long suspension offered him clarity and perspective, reinforcing his love for the game and reinvigorating the fire and excitement for what lies ahead.

“First of all, a year away from the NFL puts a lot of things into perspective for you, for a young man like me,” Ridley said in an interview with Bucky Brooks. “A year away from the game and coming back now, it shows me I missed the game more than ever and that I love football more than ever. Football was something that I do and love and always will be what I love.”

Ridley made clear that the receiver that the Jaguars are getting will be one that’ll deliver on fan excitement and be motivated to help the team in any way possible.

“First of all you’re getting a playmaker,” Ridley said. “Someone who makes plays, scores touchdowns, speed route runner, someone who gets open. Someone who is a team player, someone who brings excitement to the field and to my teammates to help energize the game. Someone who is going to help move the ball for sure.”

The veteran wide receiver exuded excitement with the idea of working with star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who he believes has the talent and intangibles necessary to lead a top NFL offense. For Ridley, this pairing is one that he believes will pay great dividends.

“His ability,” Ridley said when asked about Trevor Lawrence. “He’s a great quarterback, young, smart, got an arm. I know that my tools coming to play with him, I can just see us doing really, really big things. He has the arm strength to reach me, and I can get open on a lot of different guys. We have a lot of teammates that can help. I just think he’s a great talent, the arm strength, and me, my ability with that, I think it really can work out good.”

Ridley made clear that running out of the tunnel as a Jacksonville Jaguar will be a special moment for him, and indicative of what the veteran wideout had to overcome and what still remains in front of him.

“It’s going to be amazing for my mom, my family, for me,” Ridley said. “It’s just going to be a weight off my shoulders because I waited so long to get back from this point. I’m going to be excited to run through that tunnel and show every Jacksonville Jaguar fan who I am.”