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Sears to miss Calgary game due to CFL suspension
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image
Toronto Argonauts' Steven Jyles lies on the ground after being hit hard by Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Johnny Sears during the second half of their CFL game in Winnipeg Friday, October 28, 2011.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Johnny Sears has been suspended for this weekend’s game final regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders.
"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," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon following a tele-conference hearing with Sears.
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"In our league, with just an 18-game schedule, this is a significant and effective penalty."
Sears was kicked out of Friday night’s 27-22 loss to the Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Argos QB Stephen Jyles knocked Jyles out of the game.
The Bombers had argued Sears should only be fined, something the league has done in other instances this season involving blows to the head.
"As I have maintained since the hit on Friday, no player is allowed to lead with his helmet. We understand and accept the decision, and will move forward this week without the services of Johnny Sears," Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said in a statement after the league ruling was announced.
The team refused to make Sears available to reporters on Tuesday but did release this statement from him following the ruling:
"I accept the commissioner’s decision to suspend me and know I am accountable for the consequences of my actions on the field. 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. It will be extremely difficult to not be a part of Saturday’s game but as I said, I will accept this decision and move forward."
Sears will also lose one game’s pay in the ruling.
The league also announced late Tuesday that injured Argos offensive linemen Rob Murphy and Taylor Robertson were fined undisclosed amounts for comments they made on Twitter last Friday night directed towards Sears that were "deemed to be threatening to another member of the Canadian Football League."
Murphy had written "the Jaws of Life" would have been necessary to extricate Sears if he had been in Winnipeg Friday night, while Robertson suggested he would get Sears next season and would gladly take an ejection in exchange.
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