Former Alouettes rush-end Shawn Lemon reinstated by CFL

Article content

The Canadian Football League reinstated former Montreal Alouettes defensive-lineman Shawn Lemon with specific conditions on Wednesday.

The CFL said any future violations of the league’s match manipulation policy will result in a lifetime ban and that the free agent is eligible to sign with any team.

Lemon, a veteran rush-end, was initially suspended on April 24, 2024, for wagering on CFL games in 2021, including one in which he played, while a member of the Calgary Stampeders. But he appealed the suspension through the CFL Players’ Association, allowing him to return to Alouettes training camp practices and the team’s first four regular-season games last season before an independent arbitrator upheld the ban on July 4.

The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder has 102 career sacks in 154 career regular-season games.

“Protecting the integrity of the play on the field is of the utmost importance and we will not tolerate players violating the CFL’s Match Manipulation Policy. Mr. Lemon’s suspension, which was the longest in league history, was necessary and appropriate,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a release Wednesday. “He has taken full responsibility for his actions. He understands how wagering negatively impacts sports and has re-educated himself on league policy. He is now committed to helping other players learn from his mistake.”

The CFL also said if Lemon is signed by a club, he must serve a two-game suspension for violating the league’s joint drug policy, because of a positive test for the banned substance phentermine.

Lemon will also be required to complete all mandatory league education, including the match manipulation policy, and he must continue to participate in the counselling sessions he has been attending.