Wray Morrison: A chilly June

The CFL Players’ Association is under fire from many for contesting the league’s attempt to suspend Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence for two games following last Thursday’s hit on Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros.

I’ve previously said in this time slot that a two-game suspension is right for Lawrence’s actions.

What I don’t understand is why CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie would issue a statement on Wednesday stressing his disappointment over the time and expense that both the league and association will go through as the CFLPA attempts to defend a member. It’s because that’s what the association does: It represents its players. It doesn’t mean the association condones all of Lawrence’s actions. (Think of a defence lawyer in our justice system.)

There could be something bigger in play here. One also has to remember that this comes on the heels of very chilly CBA negotiations in the off-season. Ambrosie’s scolding of the CFLPA may speak to the current relationship between the association and the league right now — a relationship that currently doesn’t appear to be that great.