CFL suspends LB Lawrence 2 games for Collaros hit

The CFL has handed Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence a two-game suspension for his hit to the head on Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros, which knocked the Riders pivot out of the teams’ game last Thursday.

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie announced the suspension Monday morning in an emailed media release.

The release stated that “Lawrence made direct contact to the head of Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback Zach Collaros after Collaros had  ‘given himself up’ by starting his feet first slide. This dangerous and reckless hit has no place in our game.”

The play resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty called on Lawrence, which the referees increased from 15 yards to 25 yards; Lawrence also had a disciplinary hearing with the league after the game.

In the media release, Ambrosie said the two-game suspension is only because of Lawrence’s actions on that one play, the hit on Collaros. “In fact, he has never been previously fined or suspended for dangerous play since joining the league in 2012. In addition, he has expressed contrition for his actions and concern for his opponent and former teammate’s health and well-being.

“However, dangerous and reckless play must be disciplined, not simply for the sake of punishment alone, but to deter such play in the future . All of us, league and players, need to take and support strong action to promote and protect player health and safety, and we need to work together.”

On Sunday, Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said the team had put Collaros on the six-game injured list.

Dickenson didn’t say whether Collaros has a concussion.

“(Zach) won’t be with us for a while,” the head coach said after Sunday’s practice. “We don’t want anybody to have health issues when they are done (playing football). We feel like we don’t want to make an emotional decision and do what’s best for Zach. He seems fine right now and he’s doing well, but we certainly want him to be well and healthy for down the road when he gets old like the rest of us.”

He said either Cody Fajardo or Isaac Harker will get the start at quarterback when the Riders play the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray