The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t managed to get the same production out of Calvin Ridley that they did in the first two quarters of their season opener. While the receiver caught a touchdown early in Week 4 against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, it was one of only two receptions for Ridley on the day.
But when Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was asked about the receiver after the game, he had nothing but great things to say.
"I'm so proud of @CalvinRidley1."#ATLvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/kSPRAAgFV6
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 1, 2023
“I’m so proud of Calvin, what he’s been through in his life,” Pederson said. “He’s put a lot of things behind him. He’s focused on the future. His testimony is one that can be spread to a lot of professional and younger generation athletes, what he’s gone through and overcome adversity, and then to come out again today and get the touchdown and the big play at the end of the game, he’s just doing things right.
“He loves football. We love having him on the football team. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s excitable. I’m so proud of not only where he’s come from but where he’s going to as a ball player for us.”
While it didn’t show up on the stat sheet, Ridley drew a 40-yard pass interference penalty on A.J. Terrell in the fourth quarter that moved the Jaguars into Falcons territory.
Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk, who now leads the Jaguars in targets and receptions after grabbing eight passes Sunday, had similar praise for Ridley after the game.
“He’s a better person than he is a player, I’ll say that,” Kirk said. He brings so much charisma, energy, let alone his athletic talent and everything that he’s able to do as a wide receiver just kind of speaks for itself.
“But as a leader and as a veteran in our room, he means a lot to me, to Zay [Jones], to all the other young guys. We’re all constantly learning from him, and he’s a team player. As long as we’re walking off the field with a W, he’s happy.”
Through four games, Ridley has 15 receptions for 211 yards with two touchdowns.
