CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie is seen in November 2018.
Since becoming CFL commissioner two years ago, Randy Ambrosie has made a big deal of protecting quarterbacks and preventing concussions. To quote Shakespeare, “It is a tale… full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”
Last Thursday, Hamilton’s Simoni Lawrence knocked Saskatchewan quarterback Zach Collaros from the game in the first quarter. The Riders not only lost the matchup but also their starting quarterback – who is on the six-game injured list with a concussion. And Lawrence? He got a two-game suspension. Shedding crocodile tears, Lawrence said he didn’t mean to hurt anybody.
At halftime TSN analysts Henry Burris and Matt Dunigan – former quarterbacks – and Milt Stegall were outraged at the flagrant foul. Burris had previous run-ins with Lawrence who went for his knees on more than one occasion. Dunigan, who suffered multiple concussions, called on the league to dole out severe punishment. Stegall said if the league doesn’t respond appropriately, the message will soon get out that it is open season on quarterbacks. That message is now out. Mr. Commissioner, you blew it. Lawrence should have received at least six games.
Roughing the passer infractions are going down, meaning most players understand the need to protect the quarterback and prevent concussions. That should mean zero tolerance for assassins like Simoni Lawrence and B.C.’s Odell Willis – whose head shot in the final regular season game last year knocked Collaros out of action, including the playoffs. No suspension for Willis, but the Roughriders’ chance to win the West semifinal were severely compromised. In fact, during that game, Brandon Bridge was knocked out by a high hit by Blue Bomber Jackson Jeffcoat. No penalty was called. Winnipeg won 23-18. Lawrence and Willis are repeat offenders.
None of the top 10 all-time CFL sack masters were head hunters. Not No. 1 Grover Covington or Bobby Jurasin, James “Quick” Parker or Charleston Hughes. Neither were the top two tacklers of all-time, Willie Pless and current Bomber boss Michael O’Shea.
Getting after quarterbacks is part of the game. In the 1973 Grey Cup, Edmonton pivots Tom Wilkinson and Bruce Lemmerman were both hurt. On the Eskimos’ first possession, Ottawa’s Wayne Smith was called for roughing Wilkie. Ten minutes later Wilkinson was running out of bounds when Jerry Campbell hit him in the face and Smith piled on. Fifteen yard penalty, Wilkinson out of the game: “Rough” Riders win. Capitol Hill Gang defensive coach Dick Adams said there was no intent to injure. His boss, Jack Gotta said, “Let’s get to their quarterbacks and physically pound them.” Therein lies a solution to the problem.
Coaches can put an end to head-hunting overnight. In Hamilton, Ti-Cat tamer Orlondo Steinauer – a great and clean cornerback – should take Lawrence aside and say, “I won’t tolerate that kind of stuff. Do it again and you’re gone.” Then, if Lawrence re-offends and is cut, Steinauer’s colleagues around the league would have to back him up by not signing the miscreant. Don’t hold your breath. When Edmonton got tired of Willis’ antics, he was welcomed with open arms by B.C., his fifth team.
I’ve been involved with the game since 1956. Players took hits to the head. In one game Ottawa’s Russ Jackson got his bell rung but called a great game, none of which he remembered afterwards. Saskatchewan’s Bill “the Undertaker” Baker took out three Eskimo quarterbacks in one contest. But back then, players didn’t deliberately go for the head nor did they try to injure an opponent.
That changed in the 1990’s when American kids were taught from Pop Warner up to lead with the helmet and aim for the head. The assassins of today in the CFL aren’t Canadians and the American players who won’t adapt to the new reality are doing what they were taught.
Quarterbacks aren’t the only target. Calgary’s Jon Cornish was one of the greatest running backs the game has ever seen. In 2015 while running down the sideline at McMahon, Alouette Kyries Hebert launched himself, forearm extended at Cornish’s head, causing a career-ending concussion. In the last two seasons Ebert has been subject to league discipline for dirty hits.
Coaches, crack down. Mr. Commissioner? Banish repeat offenders. Now.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 47 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
