CFL kickers sound alarm about footballs with computer chips

Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo (14) kicks a conversion against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, June 9, 2023. (John Woods/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

CFL kickers are raising major concerns about new computer chips in footballs affecting their ability to do their job.

The issue hit the spotlight after Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo missed two of three field goals as well as a convert in Thursday’s season-opening loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

Castillo made 90.2 per cent of his field goals last year.

The chips collect statistical data used by the CFL. 

“I don’t know where to aim,” Castillo told the media after Thursday’s game, per 3DownNation. “Every time I’m out there, I’m literally praying the rosary. I don’t know where to aim.”

Alouettes kicker David Cote made both his short field goals and missed a convert in the opener.

After the game, several other kickers expressed their concern on social media.

Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther, a vice-president of the CFLPA, said in a statement on social media that kickers across the league voted 10-1 in a poll not to use the balls.

“…Still the league waited until the night before game one of the regular season to decide to use these footballs that will eventually cost jobs and livelihoods,” Lauther said.

Ottawa Redblacks kicker Lewis Ward also expressed his displeasure.

“No other pro league uses chipped footballs in the kicking game and every CFL kicker voted against these footballs,” he wrote on Twitter. “This has a negative impact on the integrity of the game and is a very sad for the league to disregard this issue.”

The USFL had a similar issue with chipped footballs drawing complaints from kickers in 2022. The league went back to a traditional football for kicking plays in Week 2 after kickers went 3-for-10 on field goals in the first three weeks.

In the CFL, Castillo is hoping the league can make a similar adjustment. He said he made about 60 per cent of his tries in training camp with the chipped balls and 90 per cent with the traditional balls.

“Every single (kicker) is opposed to this. We’re all against it,” said Castillo. “Yeah, there was testing done, etc., blah, blah, blah, but it wasn’t done by professionals. It wasn’t done by guys who play for you, your employees of the Canadian Football League.”

The CFL did not immediately return a request for comment by Sportsnet.

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