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Posted
9 minutes ago, Wideleft said:

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League announced Monday that it has issued a two-game suspension to Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence.

The suspensions comes after the veteran linebacker made direct contact to the head of Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros in the Ticats’ season opener on Thursday at Tim Hortons Field.

As a result, Lawrence will miss matchups against division rivals Toronto Argonauts in Week 2 and Montreal Alouettes in Week 3.

In a league-issued statement, Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the following:

On play #4 of CFL game #10, our regular season opener in Hamilton on Thursday, June 13, Hamilton Tiger-Cat Simoni Lawrence made direct contact to the head of Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback Zach Collaros after Collaros had “given himself up” by starting his feet first slide. This dangerous and reckless hit has no place in our game.

After a careful review of the play, which was called for unnecessary roughness on the field and assessed a 25-yard penalty, and a hearing with Lawrence, we are imposing a two-game suspension.

We want to put this supplemental discipline in its proper context by making the following important points.

1. Player safety is the top priority for CFL. This point was stressed yet again as recently as June 12, the day before the game in question, in a league memo to all clubs which clearly stated: “Any player who performs an illegal act that creates a substantial and unnecessary risk of injury to an opposing player in a reckless and dangerous manner and outside of the acceptable standards of play will be subject to a suspension.”

2. In our recent discussions with the Canadian Football Players Association (CFLPA) that led to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and in its public statements, the players association has said many times that player health and safety is also the players’ top priority.

3. Several individual players have continued to echo that sentiment on social media, during and since those CBA talks, including this past weekend.

4.We all need to walk all of this talk in a meaningful way now, at the outset of our season, by sending and supporting a clear and unequivocal message on player safety.

5. The precise circumstance that occurred on this play was identified this Spring by our Rules Committee, which includes the leadership of the CFLPA, as one that requires urgent and strong action. It passed a rule change that increased the focus on such a play and the scope of what is considered a penalty. Our supplemental discipline needs to mirror this emphasis.

6. We want to stress that this discipline is the result of this player’s actions on this play and this play alone. In fact, he has never been previously fined or suspended for dangerous play since joining the league in 2012. In addition, he has expressed contrition for his actions and concern for his opponent and former teammate’s health and well-being. However, dangerous and reckless play must be disciplined, not simply for the sake of punishment alone, but to deter such play in the future . All of us, league and players, need to take and support strong action to promote and protect player health and safety, and we need to work together.

– Randy Ambrosie, CFL, Commissioner

 

I think the wording of that statement is excellent. Pretty much dares the CFLPA to appeal and know they will look like heals if they do appeal.

Posted
37 minutes ago, GCJenks said:

 

I think the wording of that statement is excellent. Pretty much dares the CFLPA to appeal and know they will look like heals if they do appeal.

I think the CFLPA is going to have to realize at some point that appealing these rulings places their athletes in a disadvantageous position in future concussion-related lawsuits.

Posted
2 hours ago, Ripper said:

If you guys are fine with it being the AHL out there, that's fine.  Wasting my time discussing this with you

Tell that to the Tiger Cat fans.  As I said, most of us condemned SL and even Jeffcoat (to some extent) last year.

Posted
1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

“Defend” is the wrong terminology though.  They are both PA members and there is an agreed upon process per the CBA for discipline.

Defend against action by the league 

Posted
17 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

Tell that to the Tiger Cat fans.  As I said, most of us condemned SL and even Jeffcoat (to some extent) last year.

Completely wrong and out to lunch. Havnt read or heard a single thing that Lawrence shouldn't be punished. Some even advocated 2+ plus games. Good try though.

Posted
7 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Agree...this was well done. Sincerely hope there is no appeal...

He will though.  It's his legal right. Rose appealed his shoving an official in the EF down to nothing.

Posted
4 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

He will, like Zontar said. His argument will be that Collaros should have never been out there in the first place! :)

It's his legal right if he asks. Rose appealed his and the league and society at large did not collapse.

Posted

 

Oh Saskatchewan, did you ever F.U.

We all know the circumstances that led them back to Zach Collaros but, knowing what they did with Collaros, they opted to go inexperienced behind him at QB. 

Hello Mr Glenn.

Yes, they should have signed Glenn..right from the start.

Cody scmody. Develop Harker #3 and you still have a chance of winning with Glenn should something happen 🤕 to Zach. 

Now, they offer him peanuts in a paper cup and he says no thanks. 

Well, I guess there’s always Brandon Bridge. Right?

Posted
2 minutes ago, Mr Dee said:

 

Oh Saskatchewan, did you ever F.U.

We all know the circumstances that led them back to Zach Collaros but, knowing what they did with Collaros, they opted to go inexperienced behind him at QB. 

Hello Mr Glenn.

Yes, they should have signed Glenn..right from the start.

Cody scmody. Develop Harker #3 and you still have a chance of winning with Glenn should something happen 🤕 to Zach. 

Now, they offer him peanuts in a paper cup and he says no thanks. 

Well, I guess there’s always Brandon Bridge. Right?

#blameambrosie

Posted
2 hours ago, Mr Dee said:

 

Oh Saskatchewan, did you ever F.U.

We all know the circumstances that led them back to Zach Collaros but, knowing what they did with Collaros, they opted to go inexperienced behind him at QB. 

Hello Mr Glenn.

Yes, they should have signed Glenn..right from the start.

Cody scmody. Develop Harker #3 and you still have a chance of winning with Glenn should something happen 🤕 to Zach. 

Now, they offer him peanuts in a paper cup and he says no thanks. 

Well, I guess there’s always Brandon Bridge. Right?

LOL....Thanks...best thing I have read all day!!

Posted
10 hours ago, JCon said:

Short memories caused by too much green koolaid. Late hits are all-of-a-sudden a problem that must be addressed!! Blah, blah, blah. Rider fans are laughable. 

I recall a Bomber win a couple of years ago in Regina when a rider was called on a high hit on Nichols (I think), and a particular poster on Riderfans was mad at the call and posted "Suq it up, Nancy. It's Football".  Shoes on the other foot and suddenly we have a league problem.  To be fair, Lawrence deserved and ejection and a suspension for that hit.

Posted
37 minutes ago, Mike said:

Hey @Ripper

 

How’s your QB situation going?

Rider fans are talking karma on SL.

Seems like continued karma on what was as classless a thing that I have ever seen a sports organization do. Celebrating an injury.

Posted
10 hours ago, Zontar said:

He will though.  It's his legal right. Rose appealed his shoving an official in the EF down to nothing.

You're right. Of course he'll appeal.  He's not just going to accept this no matter how that release is written..

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Mike said:

Hey @Ripper

 

How’s your QB situation going?

About as well as we figured it would.  No one thought Collaros would make the season. Sad to see him go out like that, but is what it is. If we have a prayer it will be with Harker and a run game.  Guess we will see.  Better it was game one than game 10

Edited by Ripper
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