The Canadian Football League (CFL) has reinstated three-time Grey Cup winner Shawn Lemon after he was banned last year for gambling on league games while playing for the Calgary Stampeders.
The CFL suspended Lemon in April 2024 after an investigation found that he bet on CFL games in 2021, including one in which he played while a Stampeder.
While the league definitively stated that it found no evidence that Lemon’s wagering had influenced any game outcomes, his actions violated the league’s longstanding CFL Match Manipulation Policy. CFL players are banned from gambling either themselves or by proxy on league games, as well as from providing insider information that could be used to wager on games or props. Unlike the NFL, CFL players are allowed to bet on other sports.
The revelation of the defensive lineman’s gambling violations came just two weeks after he surprisingly announced his retirement from Canadian football despite having recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Montreal Alouettes. Lemon, who also spent time with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, appealed the ban and was supported by the CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA). However, an independent arbitrator upheld the indefinite suspension.
As a suspended player, Lemon has been unable to participate in regular-season or postseason games, but clubs were allowed to invite him to take part in training camp, preseason games, practices or meetings.
Reinstatement requires Lemon aid
Now that he has been reinstated, he is now eligible to sign with any team. However, the league was clear that he can only return under certain conditions.
Should he sign with a team, he first would have to serve a two-game suspension he was handed this February for violating the CFL and CFL Players’ Association’s joint drug policy, due to a positive test for the banned substance Phentermine. While he is suspended, he would not be able to participate in games, but could be invited by a potential new club to take part in other activities such as training camp, practices or meetings.
He must also complete all mandatory league education and continue to participate in the counselling sessions he has been attending.
“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,” said CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston. “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.”
At the time Lemon’s alleged betting offences took place, the CFL did not have a mandatory education course for players on gambling. It has since undertaken an extensive internal review of its gambling rules, updating language and protocols.
The CFL stressed that this leniency will not be applied to any other players who are found to have violated the gambling policy. Any future violations will result in a lifetime ban.
