Montreal Alouettes defensive end Shawn Lemon scores a touchdown after a fumble by Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum, not shown, during second half CFL football action in Ottawa, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Suspended lineman Lemon is on the field at Montreal Alouettes training camp Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
SAINT-JÉRÔME, Que. – Veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon is on the field at Montreal Alouettes training camp Tuesday despite facing a suspension for sports gambling.
The CFL indefinitely suspended Lemon on April 24 for betting on league games, including one the league says he played in.
The league said an investigation showed Lemon bet on games in 2021 while with the Calgary Stampeders but added there was no evidence to indicate games were impacted by his wagering.
The Alouettes did not immediately provide a reason for Lemon’s presence amid the suspension but said they would be issuing a statement.
Lemon, a three-time Grey Cup champion, announced his retirement two weeks before the league announced his suspension despite signing a one-year extension with Montreal during the off-season.
The 35-year-old from Charleston, S.C., helped Montreal defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in last year’s Grey Cup. The Alouettes went 12-4, including the playoffs, after signing Lemon, who had 26 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 13 regular-season games. He also earned his 100th CFL sack last season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.
