FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who missed the last game Oct. 10 to tend to a “personal matter,” vaguely addressed the situation Thursday.
“For me personally, resting,” Ridley said. “Family and trying to get myself back out here. I had a couple personal things in my life going on, so it was personal.”
He did not want to elaborate.
“Not really,” Ridley said. “It was personal.”
Ridley was back at practice Monday.
“It feels great,” Ridley said. “The first day back was tiring. I was around with my family, tired of sitting down. I was able to get back out when the team got back, get running and stuff. It felt great to be around the guys, and I’m ready to play some football.”
The team announced that Ridley would not make the trip to London on the Thursday before the game, the day the plane was leaving.
Social media went crazy with the news.
“I have a passport,” Ridley said. “Like I said, I had some personal things going on. I had to get situated. It’s good.”
Ridley was pressed again about the matter.
“Like I said, I had something going on,” Ridley said. “I had to get it right, and I didn’t take too much time.”
Ridley understands that the fans want to know more about his situation.
“In today’s world, it shouldn’t matter,” Ridley said. “Mind your business. But in today’s world I do. To me, if I say it’s personal, it’s personal.”
The timing was bad because coach Arthur Smith had just said he expected Ridley to play better. Some speculated that he wanted a trade.
“I’ve been off certain social media for a while,” Ridley said. “Some of them I have, some of them I don’t. Some of the stuff in this world I don’t see. I don’t know, honestly.”
Ridley leads the Falcons with 27 catches.
“I’m blessed to be able to run around, play and catch a football,” Ridley said.
He did watch the game and saw rookie tight end Kyle Pitts’ breakout performance in the 27-20 win over the Jets.
“We’re dangerous,” Ridley said. “When everybody is playing to their potential, this team, this offense, we should be able to move the ball on anybody and score on anybody. That’s how I feel personally. I know that’s how my teammates feel, too.”
Pitts had nine catches for 119 yards and touchdown in the win over the Jets.
“Kyle is a young player who still has so much room to grown and be amazing, which he already is,” Ridley said. “I’m proud of him.”
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