The CFL has assessed a maximum fine against Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ strong-side linebacker Chris Edwards for his postgame shove on Montreal Alouettes’ receiver Austin Mack.
After his team’s 38-12 loss to the visiting Alouettes last Friday, Edwards approached Mack with his hand outstretched, appearing to offer a handshake. When Mack reached out his hand, Edwards delivered a two-handed shove to the chest, knocking the receiver to the ground. Head coach Orlondo Steinauer called the action “inexcusable.”
“That’s not who we are,” he said at the time. “That’s not something that we preach, that we encourage or that we will take lightly.”
The maximum possible fine under the league’s collective bargaining agreement is equal to one-half of a player’s game cheque.
This isn’t the first time Edwards has been the subject of supplemental discipline from the league. He was suspended for six games in December 2021 after he entered the stands at BMO Field and exchanged punches with a fan following the East Final. This altercation occurred while Edwards was still a member of the Toronto Argonauts.
The suspension was subsequently reduced to three games and led to a new code of conduct that was agreed upon by the CFL and the CFL Players’ Association.
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver Samuel Emilus was also fined for a high hit on Calgary Stampeders’ defensive back Jonathan Moxey, while Edmonton Elks’ defensive lineman J-Min Pelley was fined for a “tourist hit” on Toronto Argonauts’ receiver B.J. Byrd.
As per league policy, the amounts of the fines were not disclosed.
