Darrell Davis: CFL’s Lawrence ruling wastes a month

A full month has passed since Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence maliciously collided helmet to helmet with Saskatchewan’s Zach Collaros, knocking the Roughriders’ vulnerable, sliding quarterback out of the season-opener.

That was June 13. Today is July 12. One full month has passed. Collaros hasn’t played since — he may not play football again because of a concussion, or perhaps a serious neck injury — and Lawrence hasn’t been punished. The CFL tried to suspend Lawrence for two games, but he exercised his rights and appealed the decision. That’s fine. That’s legal, even though in this case the CFL Players’ Association is representing the lawbreaker and the victim.

Lawrence practised this week, likely expecting to play Saturday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders. He told reporters he spent 10 hours with an arbitrator, but when this commentary was written and recorded, there had been no announcement regarding the appeal. Whether a decision is announced today or not, the time being taken is ridiculous. And if the two-game suspension isn’t upheld, that’s even more ridiculous.