Take a powder, Simpson

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Barrin Simpson

Barrin Simpson is now persona non grata in the Winnipeg Blue Bomber clubhouse and his days with the team are all but officially over.

The Bombers have asked the veteran linebacker -- who requested a trade a couple of weeks ago when told his playing time would be reduced -- to steer clear of the locker-room, the team's meetings and practices after an incident that allegedly occurred on Monday. They've also cleaned out his locker.

In a paperwork move, the organization has asked him to sign a 'do not report' form that means he is only to appear at the team's offices for treatment on his turf-toe injury.

According to two sources within the organization, the last straw came when Simpson was overheard making a sarcastic/derogatory comment about the organization to new players Odell Willis and Titus Ryan when they arrived after being acquired in Sunday's trade with Calgary. Simpson's remark so enraged one veteran player, he later met with head coach Mike Kelly and asked that he do something with Simpson 'before I punch him out.'

Bombers veteran Doug Brown said it was time to make a move.

"It was unusual and you might say an uncomfortable situation. You have a player in limbo who has asked to not be a part of this organization any more. Yet, there's a scenario where he's coming to our meetings and he's in the facility and hanging around the guys. It was a unique deal so I'm not surprised it's come to this," said Brown.

"That's the thing, when you're looking for the door on your way out, you've kind of already separated yourself and left the team. I'm not sure the team's best interest remain your priority. Us losing, and having asked to be moved, you don't know if there's any satisfaction in that. From a locker-room perspective, when times are tough like this, you need to know guys have each other's back. Especially in our inner sanctum."

Simpson, through his agent Mark Maren, is vehemently denying that accusation and story. The Simpson camp said the linebacker was contacted by Kelly Monday night and told he was not to report as to avoid further distractions with the team and the media, a decision with which they agreed. But Simpson insists he has never even met Willis or Ryan, let alone made any negative comments about the team to them.

"This is the first time the club has asked Barrin to stay away," said Maren Tuesday. "If this was a major concern, then why wasn't this brought up before? We totally agreed with (the decision), understand that and respect that. The last thing Barrin wants to do is be a distraction for his team or his teammates.

"But the fact that this story is now being elaborated on, that a veteran player approached (Kelly) to say that Barrin is saying this and this and this about the club and meeting the new guys... that's where we draw the line. Then it becomes an attack on my player and his character and that's what we're responding to.

"Now it's 'who do you believe?' If they had just let this alone and told us they didn't want him to be a distraction, we would have ridden off into the sunset. But this other part has ticked off Barrin and it has ticked me off. Barrin has told me he has never met these two new players, he's never had a conversation with these players. He's always been a teammate, always put the team first."

Bombers coach Mike Kelly said a number of players approached him in recent days to say it was time to say goodbye to Simpson.

"This was relayed to me. I think we were very fair with Barrin, there comes a point where we have to stick to the task at hand and we'll let that situation rest with others," said Kelly. "I called Barrin (Monday) night. We've tried to accommodate his needs. I did have players comment to me that is was best that he not be around."

Even before this latest incident, the situation with Simpson and the Bombers was bizarre to say the least. His request to be traded and the team's decision to keep him around while the rest of the players prepared for the last two games created an odd working environment which one player, speaking in anonymity to The Free Press, referred to as 'toxic.'

Meanwhile, the CFL's board of governors ruled today in favour of Simpson's grievance that he was placed on the nine-game injured list by the Bombers without his consent. The Bombers argued they have followed the bylaw in the collective-bargaining agreement, stating that as long as the player is made aware he is being placed on the nine-game list -- which means his salary does not count against the cap -- he does not have to sign the form.

In a statement, the league said: "After a review of all of the issues and a careful consideration of the situation, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Board and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has determined the player in question will be placed on the one-game injured list. The Blue Bombers have raised some important issues, and the interpretation of our by-laws will continue to be considered after the season."

Bombers CEO Lyle Bauer was in Toronto for league meetings.

"The commissioner, after discussions with the board of governors and us, has ruled that Barrin is on the one-game injured list," said Bauer. "However, they recognize there are unique issues to this circumstance and this will be reviewed in the off-season."

Bauer said Simpson's salary will not be an issue for the Bombers.

"Let's just say any Salary Management System issues related to this will be worked out between the club and league office in the off-season," said Bauer.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 23, 2009 C1