An independent arbitrator has reinstated the suspension for Montreal Alouettes defensive end Shawn Lemon effective immediately, pending an official hearing next month.
Lemon was suspended indefinitely by the league on April 24 for betting 70 Euros (approximately $100 CAD) on a two-game parlay, including one in which he played. According to the league’s investigation, the wager was placed in 2021 while Lemon was playing for the Calgary Stampeders. There was no evidence any games were impacted by his bet.
The 35-year-old, who initially retired this offseason before electing to return, appealed that decision and returned to the field for the start of the 2024 campaign. An arbitration date was originally set for July 5 in the case, before Lemon and his representation sought an adjournment to August 1-2. The CFL requested an immediate suspension for the duration of the delay, which the arbitrator granted until the hearing was justified and reasonable.
In four games played during his appeal, Lemon has recorded six tackles and a sack, helping the Alouettes to an undefeated record.
Speaking to the media last month, commissioner Randy Ambrosie condemned Lemon’s actions and warned other players that there would be consequences if caught betting on games.
“Our education programs are absolutely clear. The unforgivable sin is gambling within your own league, but the most unforgivable sin is gambling on a game that you played in. Our facts are very clear that what happened in this particular case is that athlete bet on a game that he played in. Simply, you cannot cross that line and if you do, you have to send a strong message that it’s not tolerated,” said Ambrosie.
“What this situation reveals is that if you do it, you’re gonna get caught. The surveillance systems are so good and this is what happens when you when you put some sunlight. … With the advent of the public systems, I’d say to a player today, ‘If you do it, trust me, you will be found out and caught and the punishment will be severe.’ I’m hoping that’s one of the messages that will land with this particular situation is, ‘Don’t do it, because if you do it, you’ll get caught and if you get caught, the resulting discipline will be somewhat unforgiving.’”
At the time of Lemon’s offence, the CFL did not have a mandatory education course for players in regards to sports betting, as it did for domestic violence and performance-enhancing drugs.
The CFL recently underwent an extensive internal review of its gambling rules, updating language and protocols to reflect the modern era. In May 2023, the league announced a new match manipulation policy developed in partnership with McLaren Global Sport Solutions, as well as a mandatory education course through the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports.
Players are banned from gambling on league games, betting by proxy, or providing insider information that could be used to wager on games or props. Unlike the NFL, CFL players are allowed to bet on other sports regardless of location or timing.
Prior to Lemon’s offence, there was no public record of the CFL ever issuing a suspension for sports gambling.
The three-time Grey Cup champion has played 152 regular season CFL games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Elks, Ottawa Redblacks, Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, and Alouettes, recording 243 defensive tackles, 102 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
The arbitrator will hear from both the CFL and Lemon on August 1-2, before making a final decision on discipline.
The Alouettes (4-0) will face the Calgary Stampeders (2-1) without Lemon on Saturday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
