A missed call

As bad as the hit by Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Johnny Sears was on Toronto Argonauts quarterback Steven Jyles in a game last Friday - and for which Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon slapped him with a one-game suspension on Tuesday - something has been seriously missed on all of this, namely the officiating.

Sears was flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness because of the hit, but was not immediately ejected for rough play. It was only after Argo linebacker Jason Pottinger ran on to the field from the sidelines to challenge Sears and precipitated a melee that both players were ejected, which led to offsetting 25-yard penalties.

In other words, Sears' 15-yard penalty for leading with his helmet became a wash because of Pottinger's actions. Jyles, meanwhile, was knocked unconscious on the play and became somewhat of an afterthought in the skirmish around him.

Why didn't the referee immediately eject Sears? After all, Toronto linebacker Ejiro Kuale was ejected for a late hit on Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce in a game earlier this season. On that play, Pierce had released the ball and Kuale did not let up on his hit, even though it appeared he had time and led with his helmet. Pierce was not hurt on the play. In Sears' case, he was running at full speed and hit Jyles at roughly the same instant that the quarterback slid to the turf. You can make the argument that Sears could not stop at full speed while in the process of dropping down, compared to Kuale who was still on his feet. It is totally subjective.

Kuale received a fine from the league, but no more than half a game's pay because of the collective bargaining agreement with the Players Association.

So it was obvious on one play that the offending player had committed a foul that was deemed so heinous by the officials it resulted in a disqualification. Moreover, it was deemed to be intent to injury, which had Argo general manager/head coach Jim Barker miffed wondering in his post-game media conference how an official is able to psychologically ascertain what goes on in a player's mind. For that, he was assessed a $1,000 fine because he publicly criticized the officiating, and which subsequently made him wary of making comments that could lead to another fine.

"While I appreciate the sincerity of the player in his conversation with me today, this was a reckless and dangerous hit that must be met with appropriate discipline," Cohon said in announcing Sears' suspension. "In our league, with just an 18-game schedule, this is a significant and effective penalty."

There had been suggestions from some critics after the game that Sears should be banned from the league, but that seemed to be a tad over the top.

Sears indicated in a media release by the Bombers on Tuesday that he has accepted the Commissioner's decision to suspend him and is aware he is 'accountable for the consequences' of his actions. "It was a split second action and as much as I did not intentionally try to engage in helmet to helmet contact, I did, and for that I understand the decision made today."

He will not appeal.

Bombers' head coach Paul LaPolice said in the release that he has maintained since the controversial hit that no player is allowed to lead with his helmet. "We understand and accept the decision," he said.

LaPolice chose his words carefully after the game and after Cohon's decision. He will not be fined.

But it says here it is becoming increasingly difficult when it comes to helmet-to-helmet hits to understand what is considered unnecessary roughness and what is considered rough play. There have been numerous helmet-to-helmet incidents this year in the CFL and the league office has been vigilant in assessing penalties upon further review. That does not excuse the fact the officiating has been inconsistent. That needs to be addressed and should be more of a concern. Officials are considered experts in their field - and on the field - and subsequent punishment leveled by the league is a fall-back against missed or blown calls. In one case this year, an official was effectively removed from future games by the league for a glaring mistake, which the CFL director of officiating publicly acknowledged.

And while it is okay for the league to criticize itself for blown call by officials, it is not okay for coaches and/or players to offer their opinions - as Barker discovered. Argo offensive linemen Taylor Robertson and Rob Murphy received undisclosed fines from the CFL on Tuesday for tweets after the game - in which both didn't play - about the Sears hit. The CFL considered the remarks in contravention of its social media policy, which are treated similar to any other public comment.

So effectively, one Winnipeg player in the game was ejected along with an Argo player who wasn't even involved in the play or even on the field, and two Argo players who weren't even in the game were fined.

Go figure.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.