The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released controversial defensive lineman Garrett Marino.
The six-foot-two, 290-pound defensive tackle was suspended for four games earlier this year after an illegal hit on Ottawa Redblacks’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, uttering racial language at Masoli, and an illegal hit on offensive lineman Dino Boyd. It was the longest suspension the CFL has ever imposed for in-game behaviour during a single contest.
“This behaviour has no place in our league,” said league commissioner Randy Ambrosie at the time. “This discipline is intended to send a strong message that it will not be tolerated.”
The team issued a written apology on Marino’s behalf and he apologized after returning from suspension ahead of Saskatchewan’s game against the B.C. Lions in Week 11. He promised to play smarter but was fined after the game for unnecessary roughness on offensive lineman Peter Godber.
Marino also indicated that he would “love to” apologize to Jeremiah Masoli but admitted that he had not yet done so.
The 28-year-old hit Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros during Sunday’s Labour Day Classic after he had already gotten rid of the football. Video of the hit has since garnered over 150,000 views on Twitter, drawing a mixture of praise and criticism from former players on social media. Marino was not penalized during the game, though the league has yet to administer supplemental discipline this week.
I present without comment, Garrett Marino on Zach Collaros. #LabourDayClassic #cfl #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/xESl5F28as
— Paul (@ticatsroar) September 5, 2022
Marino recorded nine defensive tackles and one sack over eight games with Saskatchewan this season.
