Calvin Ridley Announces He’s Stepping Away From Football For Now

Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley announced Sunday afternoon, via his Twitter, that he will be temporarily stepping away from the game of football to focus on his own mental health. This announcement came following Ridley taking a leave of absence from the team back in week five due to ‘personal reasons’.

The Falcons star joins Eagles lineman Lane Johnson as big-name players to step away from the game due to mental health. In an interview Johnson did with Fox Sports NFL’s Jay Glazer, he said, “I can’t be expected to show up for my team without showing up for myself first. You have to win on and off the field.”

It’s this same mentality that has caused so many players to step away from their respected sports to care for their own mental health.

It is unknown when the former Alabama star will return to the field but it is believed that the Falcons will give all the time Ridley needs, especially with the growing concern of mental health issues across the NFL and other sports.

Players across the NFL have offered their support for Ridley via Twitter:

The absence of Ridley will certainly be felt on the Falcons roster after the receiver had a career year in 2020 and has followed it up with nothing but repeated success. Ridley has emerged as the top receiver in the Falcons offense after fellow Crimson Tide alumni Julio Jones left for Tennessee.