Calvin Ridley: A Triumphant Return

Photo: Jason Getz, USA Today Sports

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Calvin Ridley is already winning. In Jaguars' camp, there is a buzz about Ridley. Trevor Lawrence is ready: "But just to get to know him as a person and just to see his work ethic and how hungry he is to get back into play and how happy he is to be a part of our team, I think that's been the coolest part of having him here."

Ridley's return has been a journey.

The suspension for gambling is one thing. The recent suspensions from the Detroit Lions show players are still learning to operate in a world of changing legalities around sports betting.

But Ridley's real triumph is his mental health journey. His letter in the Player's Tribune is a must-read. The statistics around depression are harrowing. One in ten men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half will seek treatment—meanwhile, four times as many men die than women die by suicide yearly. Ridley's bravery shows men who are struggling they are not alone.

Now it is time to show there is a way forward.

Elite Production

Ridley's 90-1374-9 line from 2020 puts him in rare company. Over the last ten seasons, players who have accomplished that stat line per the Footballguys Historical Data Dominator:

That list is about as fluke free as it comes, filled with legitimate star players. But the starkest part is how few players accomplished those numbers multiple times, with only Davante Adams, Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Antonio Brown, and Demaryius Thomas accomplishing it multiple times.

Now it is time for Ridley to join that group.

The Path Back

The elephant in the room. The suspension. The list of players who missed an entire season due to suspension is, in a word, interesting:

Players do not forget how to play football when forced to sit out for a significant time. On the contrary, several players have used the time out to develop increased motivation or increased appreciation for the ability to play again, delivering some of the better performances of their careers.

Will there be an acclimation period? Absolutely. The Jaguars are already accounting for that, urging Ridley to take it slow and easing him up on reps. But Ridley's approach speaks to that increased desire to perform, saying, "I really only know one speed," in response to the slow process.

Ridley may start the season slowly. But discounting his overall production when no significant physical injury is involved is not supported by the history of players his caliber.

But returning to the top, given Jacksonville's talent, is still being determined.