Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ president and CEO Wade Miller called out the CFL and commissioner Randy Ambrosie for their failure to protect quarterbacks after Zach Collaros was forced to exit the Labour Day Classic with a suspected head injury.
“At some point, maybe our commissioner will decide that we should protect quarterbacks after the play,” Miller told Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press post-game. “This is ridiculous and needs to stop. We’ve seen this two years in a row now.”
Collaros left Winnipeg’s 35-33 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a minute remaining in the first half after receiving a late hit to the head from defensive tackle Miles Brown. The defender was flagged for roughing the passer on the play which set up a Chris Streveler rushing touchdown, but the 36-year-old starter did not return to the field after the half, remaining on the sideline in street clothes.
Head coach Mike O’Shea said after the game that the decision to hold out Collaros was a precautionary one and that he did not formally enter concussion protocol. The quarterback finished his night 12-of-18 pass attempts for 218 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, as Winnipeg held a 29-14 lead at the time of his injury.
The play drew comparisons to last year’s Labour Day Classic, when defensive lineman Pete Robertson headbutted Collaros after the play and was suspended for the following week’s Banjo Bowl. Brown was not ejected for his hit, though the CFL may yet issue supplemental discipline.
“Any player that hits a quarterback low or in the head after the play should receive a rough play disqualification,” Miller insisted “The Saskatchewan player now has two such hits this year alone on quarterbacks.”
Brown was previously involved in a play that injured former Bombers backup and current Ottawa Redblacks’ starter Dru Brown in Week 10. The defensive lineman was tripped up on his rush and could not stop his roll into the quarterback’s legs. The play was penalized but did not result in a fine.
According to the CFL rulebook, a player can be ejected for rough play if he strikes an opponent with his fist, hand, knee, elbow or helmet in an excessively rough manner, kicks an opponent, or commits any other act of excessive roughness considered by the referee to warrant disqualification.
Miller believes incidents like the one on Sunday night fit that description and only one person can ensure they are enforced as such.
“Change will only come when the commissioner steps in and gives a directive to the officials,” Miller said.
The Bombers (6-6) and Roughriders (5-6-1) will meet again for the Banjo Bowl rematch in Winnipeg on Saturday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
