(Montreal) It was difficult to understand the reasons which could explain, on April 10, that Shawn Lemon, contract in hand, decided to draw a line under his professional career. Two weeks later, we know a little more.
The Canadian Football League suspended the veteran defensive end indefinitely on Wednesday for betting on Ambrosie Tour games.
In a press release, the CFL indicated that Lemon bet on several games, including at least one in which he participated as a player in 2021, while he was playing for the Calgary Stampeders.
If the league was able to determine “beyond any doubt” that he had bet on his matches, it could not establish that the results of these could have been influenced by Lemon.
The investigation was unable to prove that any Stampeders coaches, teammates or staff members were aware of these bets.
“The integrity of our sport is of the utmost importance. No other factor, whether career performance, community actions, timing, frequency or size of bets, has any influence when the legitimacy of the CFL can be questioned. in question,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“It is our duty as a league to investigate when anomalies are brought to our attention, and we have, with our teams and players, a collective responsibility to ensure that sports betting does not influence quality or reputation of the CFL, he added. We will continue to work with our licensed gaming operators, partners and stakeholders to ensure our sport meets the highest established standards. »
A CFL spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the Ambrosie circuit was made aware of Lemon’s actions in 2024 and subsequently launched its investigation. The defensive winger therefore did not play a match while he was the subject of this investigation. The Alouettes were not further informed when they signed Lemon to a new contract last December.
“The Alouettes were recently informed of the Canadian Football League (CFL) investigation regarding the activities of Shawn Lemon in 2021, and additional information was made available to the club following the CFL’s investigation. league in recent days, indicated the Montreal team in a statement not attributed to a member of management and sent by email. The team fully supports the CFL’s rules on gambling. »
“The club is surprised and disappointed by the CFL’s revelations regarding its investigation into the actions of Shawn Lemon,” said the Stampeders, who also decided not to attribute this statement to one of their leaders. The Stampeders fully support the CFL’s policy on this matter and the league’s decision to suspend Shawn Lemon. We echo the words of Commissioner Randy Ambrosie regarding the utmost importance that must be placed on preserving the integrity of the sport and the league. »
“Thank you football,” Lemon said in a long message posted on the social network on April 10, in which he announced his surprise retirement from the CFL and professional football. However, only four months ago, Maciocia announced with great fanfare –– with good reason – the return of number zero for one more season.
The arrivals of Lemon and linebacker Darnell Sankey completely transformed the Alouettes’ defense last season, en route to winning the eighth Gray Cup in club history in November.
In 13 games in 2023, Lemon has 26 tackles, two interceptions and nine sacks. In 148 games in the CFL, he recorded 257 tackles, 101 sacks and forced 31 fumbles. He wore the colors of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Elks, Toronto Argonauts, Stampeders, Ottawa Redblacks and British Columbia Lions before arriving in Montreal.
The Alouettes camp will begin on May 12 in Saint-Jérôme. We now understand that Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia will have to work hard to find a replacement until then.