Former CFL Defensive Lineman Suspended For Betting On Games

Recently retired CFL defensive lineman Shawn Lemon has been suspended indefinitely by the league for betting on CFL games, including one in which he played.

The investigation, announced by the league, proved Lemon bet on games in 2021 as a member of the Calgary Stampeders.

“The integrity of our game is of the utmost importance. Any other factors – career performance, actions in the community, timing, frequency or size of wagers – hold no weight when the legitimacy of the CFL can be called into question,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie in a statement.

While the investigation proved Lemon bet on the action, there was no evidence that the outcomes of the games were impacted in any way by his wagering. Additionally, no one else on his team, from players to the front office, was aware of his betting.

“It is our responsibility as a league to investigate and address such abnormalities, and it is our collective duty, along with our teams and players, to ensure that sports wagering in no way impacts the quality nor standing of the CFL,” Ambrosie said. “We will continue to work with our authorized gaming operators, partners and stakeholders to hold our game to the highest standard.”

Longtime veteran

Lemon spent 13 years in the CFL, and was part of a trio of Grey Cup-winning teams, including last year’s 12-4 Montreal Alouettes squad which defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24.

Lemon recorded nine sacks and a pair of interceptions in 13 games for Montreal last year.

“The Alouettes were recently made aware of the CFL’s investigation regarding an issue involving Shawn Lemon that took place in 2021,” the Montreal franchise said in a statement, according to The Canadian Press. “Additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league’s investigation in recent days. The team fully supports the CFL’s rules on gambling. As a result of this investigation and the league’s ruling, we have suspended Shawn Lemon indefinitely. We will have no further comment.”

Lemon also played professionally in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers in 2015, but was released by both teams before the season began.