Sportsnet has hired former Canadian defensive lineman Eddie Steele as an analyst for the 2021 Grey Cup week in Hamilton.
Steele was let go from his analyst job with 630 CHED radio station in Edmonton after making critical comments of then-general manager Brock Sunderland. Following a 3-11 shortened season, Sunderland was fired by the Elks with two years left on his contract.
Steele officially joined 630 CHED in July for game broadcasts to start the 2021 season, but only lasted seven weeks due to speaking his mind.
The Elks were mired in controversy all year, with much of it linked back to Sunderland. Top paid head coach Scott Milanovich departed suddenly for the NFL without ever coaching a game for the team and then multiple former players fired back at him over the way their contracts have been handled or how their releases were discussed with the media.
Issues in Edmonton worsened when the Elks suffered the league’s first and only COVID outbreak in August, causing the postponement of their game in Toronto. The Elks led the league with players entering COVID protocol and it’s been reported that Sunderland has not been vaccinated, receiving a medical exemption after consultation with several doctors.
The 33-year-old Steele played eight seasons in the three-down league, four with Edmonton, winning a Grey Cup with Chris Jones in green and gold in 2015. He suited up in 123 games while making 145 tackles, 18 sacks, three special teams tackles, one interception and forced one fumble. The six-foot-two, 280-pound defensive lineman was selected in the third round, 22nd overall during the 2010 CFL Draft.
