The Edmonton Eskimos are taking some heat for the way they parted ways with receiver Adarius Bowman.
The team included his release as a one-line addendum to a press release announcing the re-signing of fellow American receiver Vidal Hazelton.
I understand releasing players is part of the business, but I'd argue @AdariusBowman deserved a bit more respect from the @EdmontonEsks than one line at bottom of a press release promoting Hazelton signing. #CFL #Esks
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) February 5, 2018
This is how the Esks announce the release of @AdariusBowman. One line at the bottom of the press release of Hazelton. After all he did for the club, one single line. pic.twitter.com/of3jrhTf4J
— Matthew Iwanyk (@matthewiwanyk) February 5, 2018
It feels like teams should give some players more than a 1-line “You’re cut too, shushy” notification.@AdariusBowman would be one of them. pic.twitter.com/L3EaxAATET
— Derek Taylor 🇨🇦🏈 (@DTonSC) February 5, 2018
Wow. Bad form.@AdariusBowman deserves better than that. https://t.co/rAJpQyayfo
— Allison Currie (@AlleyDalley) February 5, 2018
Bowman cracked the 1,000-yard plateau three times over his six CFL campaigns with Edmonton and won a Grey Cup with the team in 2015. Bowman lived in the city of Edmonton year-round and became heavily involved in the community, including his autism awareness campaign Adarius4Austism.com.
Meanwhile, Edmonton general manager Brock Sunderland explained the move thusly.
Sunderland cites plethora of #Esks international WR's on roster AND salary cap for reasons for Eskimos to release Adarius Bowman. #CFL
— CFL News (@CFL_News) February 5, 2018
"We were the 2nd oldest team in the #CFL last season. My job is to have us going arrow up instead of arrow down." – @BrockSundy #CFL #Esks
— CFL News (@CFL_News) February 5, 2018
Bowman hits the open market just days before the league’s free agency period is set to begin and he’ll be highly sought after given his track record.
Sounding like B.C. #Lions or Montreal #Alouettes are the likeliest landing spots for former #Esks SB Adarius Bowman. Mtl GM Kavis Reed tried to get him ahead of last year’s #CFL trade deadline.
— StarkRavin'Mod (@GerryModdejonge) February 5, 2018
