Wiedmer: Ridley brothers make CFP title game a family divided

Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) is tackled by Clemson linebacker James Skalski (47) in the first half of the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship, in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) is tackled by Clemson linebacker James Skalski (47) in the first half of the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship, in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
photo Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley walks on the floor during media day, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Atlanta. Georgia and Alabama will be playing for the NCAA football national championship on Monday, Jan. 8. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

ATLANTA - Calvin Ridley didn't exactly sidestep the question Saturday morning. Asked whom his mother might root for in Monday night's College Football Playoff championship game - given that Calvin stars as a wide receiver at Alabama and his younger brother Riley plays the same position for Georgia - the Crimson Tide junior said, "She doesn't have a favorite."

But.

"If she had a favorite, it would be him. My younger brothers are pulling for Riley, too."

This isn't exactly the Smothers Brothers' classic comedy routine, "Mom always liked you best." In fact, there wasn't an overabundance of humor displayed by either brother during their only large-scale media event prior to the conclusion of the title game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Instead, there was an enlightening glimpse into the mindset too many young athletes are forced to embrace regarding organized sports.

Said 21-year-old Riley of 23-year-old Calvin: "My brother always told me, 'We can't be sorry. We've got to be good. We've got to provide for our family.'"

Added his older brother: "Football is our way out (of financial struggles). By at least making it to college, we made it."

Barring injury, Calvin seems certain to make it to the NFL. He has caught at least one pass in every game he's ever played for the Crimson Tide. This will he his third straight national championship game. He's projected in more than one mock draft to be a first-round selection.

For Riley, whose first name actually was Cavin until he legally changed it, there is a less certain path to fame and fortune. Yes, he's the bigger athlete - standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 201 pounds, to his brother's 6-1, 190-pound frame.

But while Calvin is just eight catches from tying former Tide great Amari Cooper for most career pass receptions in school history (228), Riley has caught just eight passes all season for 136 yards and two scores.

"He's stronger. I'm faster," Calvin said.

Yet even that wasn't always so.

According to Riley - a claim backed up by Calvin - when they were playing 90-pound football in the Fort Lauderdale area, Riley once beat Calvin in a 20-yard dash outside their apartment.

"But I'm faster now," Calvin said with the slightest of grins.

He's also a more precise route runner, according to Riley.

"(Calvin's) a technician at that," Riley said. "I try to run my routes as pure as he does."

He also said he tries to follow Calvin's advice off the field at least as much as he follows it on it.

"Stay humble," Riley said of that advice. "And surround yourself with good people."

Riley was also quick to add that while Calvin might have an edge on him on the football field, that advantage does not carry over to one-on-one basketball games.

"Calvin's more a 3-point shooter," he said. "I like to drive and rebound. I'm more like LeBron (James); he's more like (Stephen) Curry."

Asked who most often wins those playground battles, Riley flashed his one smile of the morning and said, "You're looking at him."

How Kay Daniels will look when she walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch her two oldest sons compete for a national championship on opposite teams is anyone's guess.

"She might wear a split jersey," Riley said.

"She hasn't said anything to me yet," Calvin countered. "I just know she's happy for both of us."

Exactly why Riley didn't follow Calvin to Bama isn't exactly clear. Both schools reportedly recruited him. If a single moment from a single Georgia game could explain why, it was that 80-yard touchdown along the left sideline against Tennessee inside the final minute that Riley grabbed that appeared to win it for the Bulldogs between the hedges in 2016 before UT's Hail Mary from Josh Dobbs to Jauan Jennings shocked the college football world.

Said Calvin of the recruitment that led his brother to UGA instead of UA: "Riley came to me and said, 'What should I do?' I said, 'You might look at Georgia. Kirby (Smart) is a good guy.'"

Backing up that statement, Riley said, "Even though (Smart) was a defensive coach at Alabama (before taking the Georgia job), I always had a bond with him."

Until this week, the bond between Calvin and Riley was strengthened daily.

"Except for this week, we've talked or texted every day," Calvin said. "This week we won't see each other until after the game. I haven't spoken to him since right after our game last week. But we're really close. And on Monday night, I hope I do well, I hope he does well and I hope we win."

And while Calvin may say one minute that if their mom had a favorite it would be Riley, he also said, "She just loves her boys and wants what's best for us."

It's all pretty amazing and heartwarming.

Or as Riley said as he looked ahead to Monday: "To compete with my brother in the national championship game is the most beautiful thing ever."

Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com

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