The seasoned defensive lineman Shawn Lemon won’t be making a quick recovery.
For placing bets on league games, including one in which he participated, Lemon was suspended by the CFL indefinitely on Wednesday.
Three-time Grey Cup winner Lemon announced his retirement on April 10th, after a 13-season career in Canada.
According to a statement from the CFL, Lemon placed bets on CFL games in 2021 while he was a member of the Calgary Stampeders.
The league further stated that there was no proof that Lemons’ wagering affected any particular game and that no Calgary coaches, players, or staff members were aware of Lemons’ behavior.
CFL Lineman Ancien des Alouettes de Montréal suspendu pour une durée indéterminée.
Shawn Lemon, un défenseur de ligne expérimenté, ne fera pas une guérison rapide.
Lemon a été suspendu par la CFL pour avoir misé sur des matchs de league, dont l’un où il a participé, le vendredi.
Lemon, trois fois vainqueur de la Grey Cup, annonce son départ le 10 avril, après une carrière de 13 saisons au Canada.
Selon une déclaration de la CFL, Lemon a misé sur des matchs CFL en 2021 alors qu’il était membre des Calgary Stampeders.
Selon la league, il n’y avait aucune preuve que le pari de Lemons avait un impact sur un certain match et que aucun des entraîneurs, joueurs ou membres du personnel de Calgary n’était au courant de l’attitude de Lemons.
TORONTO: The Montreal Alouettes won’t be seeing Shawn Lemon back in the starting lineup very soon. The NFL said on Wednesday that an impartial arbiter had upheld the team’s decision to suspend the defensive lineman indefinitely for participating in sports betting.
TORONTO: The Montreal Alouettes won’t be seeing Shawn Lemon back in the starting lineup very soon.
The NFL said on Wednesday that an impartial arbiter had upheld the team’s decision to suspend the defensive lineman indefinitely for participating in sports betting. Lemon’s 13-year career may come to an end as a result of the arbitrator’s decision, which is final because there was no mention of when or if the 36-year-old American might request reinstatement.
“This is obviously a significant matter,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie stated. It illustrates the game’s honesty.
“It’s why we’ve seen sports leagues around the world respond so severely . . . as leagues, we monitor each other because of the importance of setting precedents.”
Lemon’s outlook isn’t promising, considering past incidents.
On April 17, Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors was permanently banned from the NBA after an investigation revealed he had provided sports bettors with confidential information, placed bets on league games, and even limited his playing time on at least one occasion for betting purposes.
In June, San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano was given a lifetime ban from baseball for betting on the sport. Additionally, Oakland pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor league players were suspended for a year due to gambling-related violations.
Ambrosie stated in a previous statement on Wednesday that “players, fans, and anyone associated with our game must be able to believe in the league’s fairness of competition.” “Today’s ruling maintains that benchmark and emphasizes the CFL’s stance against match manipulation.”
The Alouettes declared that they approved of the arbitrator’s ruling.
The team released a statement saying, “The Alouettes organization has always supported the league’s rules on gambling and will continue to do so.” “To us, maintaining the league’s integrity is crucial.
“Since he signed with the Alouettes on July 24, 2023, Shawn Lemon has played a significant role in both the community and our locker room. We want to express our gratitude to him for all of his efforts over the past 13 months to strengthen our team.”
Lemon refrained from commenting right away.
The arbitrator’s judgment comes after the CFL decided to reinstate Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly on August 18, although with certain restrictions. Kelly was suspended by the Argonauts for the first nine regular-season games and their two exhibition games on May 7 for breaking the team’s policy against gender-based violence.
An independent inquiry into a lawsuit brought by a former strength and conditioning coach alleging sexual harassment against Kelly and wrongful termination against the Argos led to the suspension. All parties participated in mediation to settle the case in June.
On April 24, the CFL first suspended Lemon indefinitely for allegedly placing bets on games, including one in which he participated while playing for the Calgary Stampeders in 2021.
Two weeks had passed since Lemon’s retirement following Montreal’s 28-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the ’23 Grey Cup game. In December 2023, he had first committed to a one-year contract with the Alouettes.
The Stampeders’ coaches, players, and other team members were entirely uninformed of Lemon’s behavior, according to the CFL at the time, and there was no indication that his wagering had an impact on any games.
Lemon was able to report to Montreal’s training camp and participate in the CFL season after filing an appeal of his suspension in May.
Before an additional arbitrator decided on July 4 to impose the CFL’s indefinite suspension, the six-foot-two, 242-pound Lemon assisted Montreal in winning four straight games to start the season.
On August 2 and August 5, Lemon’s appeal was heard.
Despite not playing in the Alouettes’ final seven regular-season games, Lemon had continued to rehearse with them. With six victories in those games, Montreal leads the CFL with a 10-1 record.
On September 6, Montreal will play its next game, a home game against the B.C. Lions.
After being cut by B.C. during training camp, Lemon signed with the Alouettes the previous season. Montreal finished 12-4 overall, including in the postseason, after acquiring Lemon.
In 13 regular-season games, Lemon recorded 26 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. He did his share. During the previous season, he also received his 100th CFL sack, making history as the 13th player to do so.
Lemon started his professional career as a practice roster player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2011. He has since played for every CFL team, including Hamilton, sometimes numerous times. Along with that, he won Grey Cups with Toronto (2017) and Calgary (2014).
Lemon also played for two teams in the Arena Football League, one in the Indoor Football League, and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the history of the CFL, only quarterback Kevin Glenn, who is now retired, has played for all nine teams.
Throughout his CFL career, Lemon racked up 262 tackles, two special teams tackles, and 102 sacks. In addition, he recorded 30 forced fumbles, three interceptions, and one touchdown off a fumble recovery.
With 14 sacks with Calgary and the highest defensive rating in the West Division in 2022, he was named a CFL all-star.
The Canadian Press released this report for the first time on August 28, 2024.
Dan Ralph from The Canadian Press
