CFL suspends Bomber Johnson; test finds psychedelic drug in his system

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This article was published 07/10/2016 (3574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Bruce Johnson has been suspended for two games, effective immediately, after testing positive for a banned substance, the CFL announced Friday afternoon.

Johnson, who tested positive for Methylenedioxyamphetamine — known as MDA, a psychedelic hallucinogenic drug — is the second player this season to be suspended under the CFL’s new drug policy.

“We are disappointed with Bruce and his decision, but I trust no one is more upset in his actions than Bruce himself,” Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said in a statement released by the team shortly after league announcement. “The Winnipeg Blue Bombers fully support the policy on performance-enhancing drugs, and we trust Bruce will learn from his mistake, moving forward.”

Johnson, who was not expected to be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the B.C. Lions and has been placed on the one-game injured list, had 28 defensive tackles in 11 games this season.

“I take full responsibility for my decisions and accept the disciplinary action,” said Johnson, also in a statement released by the team. “I apologize to my coaches, teammates, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers organization and Bomber fans, and will use this as a learning opportunity for myself. I hope to return following my suspension and help our team continue the push toward the playoffs.”

It’s unclear at this point what, if any, further punishment the Bombers are considering. The suspension is limited to games and it’s up to the respective teams to decide whether a player can participate in club activities, including practice.

This is the first violation for Johnson. A second violation would result in a nine-game suspension; a third means a one-year suspension; and a fourth is a lifetime ban.

All players that test positive for a banned substance are subjected to mandatory testing in the future and have to participate in “an assessment and clinical evaluation to determine if they need additional counselling.”

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Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton joined the Free Press newsroom in 2015, reporting on the sports and investigative beats until he left the Free Press in July 2026.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produced was reviewed by an editing team before it was posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.