PLAYER DISCIPLINE - WEEK #1

Toronto – The Canadian Football league announced today:

Hamilton Tiger-Cat Jonathan Langa has been fined for an unnecessary hit on an opponent who was outside the play during last Friday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders.

As per league policy, the amount of the player fine was not disclosed.

CFL Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge also issued the following statement regarding Toronto Argonaut defensive lineman Cleyon Laing's low hit on Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly while he was in the act of passing during last Saturday’s game.

“There has been significant interest in this play and for good reason: it resulted in injury to Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly, which is very unfortunate not only for the Eskimos, but for our league. We take the health and safety of all players very seriously, and the CFL has taken particular steps over the years to protect quarterbacks. One of those is a rule that outlaws low hits on a quarterback when he is in the act of passing. We reviewed this play very carefully, several times and from multiple camera angles. It is clear that Laing (a) tripped on an offensive lineman’s foot and (b) was pushed by another offensive lineman. Those actions, combined with Laing’s upfield momentum, resulted in Laing falling towards the quarterback, making the low contact unavoidable. For these reasons, Laing has not been assessed any supplemental discipline. We are determined to protect quarterbacks in accordance with the rules. We must also evaluate each play on the facts."