The decisions on discipline for two CFL players have to wait after the sudden passing of a coach.
Tuesday should have been a day that spoke to the reality of football, but it became more about the reality of life.
The sudden death of 63-year-old Winnipeg Blue Bombers assistant head coach/defensive line coach Richard Harris -- a husband and father of four -- put some sobering perspective into the day-to-day affairs of the Canadian Football League.
Out of respect for Harris -- a veteran positional coach in the CFL and who was well-respected by his peers, his players and the league office, which offered condolences via a statement by commissioner Mark Cohon -- some noteworthy announcements resulting from on-field rulings were put on hold.
The first involved Toronto Argonaut linebacker Ejiro Kuale, who was ejected for rough play because of his late hit on Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Buck Pierce on Saturday. And then there was what appeared to be an eye gouge by Montreal Alouettes’ defensive back Dwight Anderson on Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver Weston Dressler on Sunday.
Kuale’s hit was deemed to be so heinous in the opinion of referee Glen Johnson that his team was penalized 15 yards and he was ejected for rough play. Clearly, Kuale hit Pierce after he had released the ball on a pass and was in a vulnerable position. Johnson could have slapped Kuale and the Argos with more than a 15-yard penalty, but in his opinion the hit was an "intent to injure," which falls under the heading of rough play. Normally, rough play is something such as physically abusing an official, hitting a player out of the field of play, fighting or something of that ilk.
Kicking a player out of the game is a big deal and is often merited, but defining the actions of a player as "intent to injure" is purely subjective. Then again, every call by an official is subjective.
It is obvious the CFL is cracking down on late hits on quarterbacks, but this particular penalty is deserving of a full explanation following the findings of the incident and what, if any, will be further discipline -- be it a penalty (most likely a deduction of a game cheque) and/or a one-game suspension, which can be appealed.
The Anderson incident, which drew a 15-yard penalty, was not as flagrant as the Kuale hit, but notable nonetheless and reviewed by the CFL for potential disciplinary action. Rarely, if ever, do you see eye-gouging in football. It could potentially lead to permanent damage.
In the context of egregious acts of violence, this is akin to hitting a quarterback late. What defence does one player have when another deliberately pokes him in the eye? Sometimes it happens by accident, but this didn’t appear to be the case. Then again, the CFL will answer that.
To be sure the reaction to the league office’s decisions will be debated one way or the other, either praised or criticized.
The CFL has already slapped two players this season with fines for helmet-to-helmet collisions. The Kuale hit sure looked as if it was helmet-to-helmet, but Johnson viewed it as something more violent and premeditated. He is the only one who can make that decision, and the CFL will release its findings.
Tuesday became a day for mourning in the CFL.
Wednesday will be a day to discover and debate the way the game is played and how the CFL views the actions of two players.
