The Canadian Football League has issued fines to a whopping eight players for actions in Week 19, including Toronto Argonauts’ linebacker Brandon Calver for striking an opponent pre-game.
The 30-year-old native of London, Ont. was captured by TSN cameras approaching Ottawa Redblacks’ receiver Jaelon Acklin during warm-ups. The exchange initially appeared to be friendly until Calver struck out at his opponent, catching him off guard and triggering a brief scuffle. Acklin was later filmed making light of the incident in the locker room with some shadowboxing but was not fined for the interaction. Both players were allowed to play in the contest.
An undrafted free agent out of Wilfrid Laurier University, Calver is now in his fifth CFL season. He has recorded seven special teams tackles in 14 games this year.
Also fined by the league for actions outside the usual realm of play was Montreal Alouettes’ offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage, who was ejected in the fourth quarter of his team’s win over the Edmonton Elks for spitting on an opponent. Head coach Jason Maas later inferred that the incident had been instigated by an Elks’ defender but provided no further details, calling his player’s retaliation “unacceptable.”
On the lighter side, Alouettes’ receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack were disciplined for violating the league’s security protocol by entering a designated fan-only area during a touchdown celebration. It marks the fourth time that opponents have been fined for utilizing the endzone seating at Commonwealth Stadium.
Rounding out the fines were B.C. Lions defensive back Adrian Greene and Argonauts linebacker Wynton McManis, each of whom were punished for a high hit, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ defensive lineman Mohamed Diallo and receiver Chris Osei-Kusi, both of whom committed blindside blocks.
As per league policy, the amounts of the fines were not disclosed. The maximum possible fine under the league’s collective bargaining agreement is equal to one-half of a player’s game cheque.
