Falcons' Calvin Ridley reportedly a target of gang-related celebrity home robberies

Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Calvin Ridley surprised many in the NFL community when he announced last Halloween that he was stepping away from competitive football for an unspecified amount of time to focus on his mental well-being. 

Ridley's name was in headlines for a much different reason this past March when it was learned he had been suspended through at least the entire 2022 season for gambling on NFL games last fall. The 27-year-old is again in the news ahead of the upcoming campaign for something not related to his on-the-field production. 

According to ESPN and the Associated Press, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced on Monday the existence of a 220-count indictment that charged 26 people regarding crimes allegedly committed by members of the Drug Rich gang. Ridley, goalkeeper Brad Guzan of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United and music icon Mariah Carey are among celebrities and social media influencers who reportedly had their homes broken into as part of a crime spree that also included carjackings, kidnappings and shootings.

"What they do is target people who show their wealth on social media," Willis explained. "So I do have a message for the public: Where it is kind of fun to put your things on social media and show off, unfortunately, these gangs are becoming more savvy, more sophisticated in the way that they target you."

Ridley has a history of flaunting expensive jewelry pieces via his personal Instagram page. He cannot apply for reinstatement until Feb. 15, 2023, and it's unclear if he will pursue a full-time return to life as an active NFL player early next year.