Blue Bombers Transactions - August 17, 2025

[Zach Schnitzer]

This is a tough one. The magistrate said there was a history but as many of you have rightly said, we don't really know what that means. Is it possible his wife made false allegations? Yes. Is it likely? Probably not. At least in my experience as someone who works with offenders. Tough look for the Bombers and somewhat surprising. Even if he is innocent, the optics are not great here, especially for a team that prides itself on culture and character. I'm hoping JC Abbott, who wrote the article citing the magistrate's claims, can shed some light on this.

[TecnoGenius]

Is he not in jail?
Is he not a convicted felon?
Is he allowed to cross the border?
Will the CFL give the nod?
Can he play?

Yes to all?  That's all I care about.

This isn't a soap opera.  The poop that flies around the USA legal system is just nuts.  We are not the judge or jury.

We really need help in the DB corps to be a cup contender.  This solves a major problem for us.  I'm overjoyed to have Houston back.  I'm overjoyed KW was listening to the forum (or came to the same conclusion as the geniuses here).

This one move basically solves all DB problems.  Parker will be back eventually and probably be the other corner.  Vaval makes a perfect dressed DB backup (which we like to have) whilst concentrating on his returner role.  Between Lawson & Vaval we can hold down the fort until Parker is better.

This is the best news in ages, and great to see some splash mid-season signings like every other team.

Who here doesn't like the sound of:
Parker - Nichols - Allen - Holm - Houston
That's one stout DB corps that teams can't just pick on anymore.

I told my son just now and he was overjoyed.  "You mean we won't lose all the time anymore dad? We have a chance to make the cup?"

Welcome back Houston.  I'm rootin' for ya!

[TecnoGenius]

Super happy to have Houston back. He was our shut down corner before he left

Is it just me or does anyone remember Houston at HB?  Did he ever play CB for us?  It could just be my hazy memory.  I didn't really care enough about DBs back when Houston was here to file in my memory who was corner vs half.  Now I do...

[TecnoGenius]

Smart moves. Improves the secondary immediately. Cooley I feel for him

I would bet Cooley isn't done with the CFL.  He may get more looks here, or elsewhere.  Might make a good dev/backup guy with one of the IMP RB-based teams.

If Brady or Peterson gets an owie, he may be back here real fast.

[The Zipp]

The story reminds me of Kyries Herbert, although Kyries got community service.

similar but very different as you say - KH was convicted and penalized (community service)...Houston's was dismissed and either is expunged already or will be..that means it never officially happened.

[blue_gold_84]

No one's going to touch that guy until his legal troubles are resolved. That's why the Stampeders released him.

Aaaaaand I guess they're resolved.

Houston's a huge addition to a struggling secondary, so here's hoping his legal troubles are behind him and he can help out the team imminently.

[Pigskin]

Watched Elgersma run a nice two minute drill for the Packers late in the 2nd. quarter. To bad his OL took 3 penalties on on that drive, eliminating a nice touchdown throw. Came out to start the 3rd. quarter with a nice drive for a touchdown. The kid has the size, strong arm, and seems to move well in the pocket. With his arm strength, he's not afraid to throw the ball into tight spaces.

7/11  109 yards.     

[Slingin Sammy]

It seems this was part of the original arrest warrant issued by the magistrate, presumably following the complaint of his wife, and presumably served as justification for the warrant. Whether there is any independent corroboration, (apart from her complaint) is not clear, and if there was, it seems strange that the charges were ultimately dismissed. Again, its hard to really know what exactly happened just based on what's been reported. While the majority of domestic violence criminal charges are likely backed by solid evidence, false accusations do happen (reported incidence of 8-33% from a google search). I suspect there was something there, but in the absence of more evidence, we really don't know.

This is a fair and balanced response.  The allegations raise suspicion; but suspicion is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  This really isn't a reflection on the former spouse who made the allegations; rather it's an outcome that occurs when allegations are tested against the rigorous standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  While the matter in this case didn't go to trial, prosecutors on both sides of the border have a duty to assess likelihood of conviction.  Clearly an assessment was made that these allegations would not result in a conviction.

[Jesse]

similar but very different as you say - KH was convicted and penalized (community service)...Houston's was dismissed and either is expunged already or will be..that means it never officially happened.

Putting aside Houston for a moment, if this was your mother/sister/daughter, is this the language you would use when discussing the case? It didn't leave a mark so it never officially happened?

Is he not in jail?
Is he not a convicted felon?
Is he allowed to cross the border?
Will the CFL give the nod?
Can he play?

Should the CFL give the nod is what we're discussing I guess. The CFL has a policy against violence against women and sure loves to pat theirselves on the back because of it. So I hope there was meaningful work that went into this before the nod was given, if it has.

I do not want our team to ignore all off field issues for the sake of team success. And I do not want suspensions to be held only if there is fan backlash. If the league has a standard, please hold all players to that standard.

[The Zipp]

Putting aside Houston for a moment, if this was your mother/sister/daughter, is this the language you would use when discussing the case? It didn't leave a mark so it never officially happened?

Should the CFL give the nod is what we're discussing I guess. The CFL has a policy against violence against women and sure loves to pat theirselves on the back because of it. So I hope there was meaningful work that went into this before the nod was given, if it has.

I do not want our team to ignore all off field issues for the sake of team success. And I do not want suspensions to be held only if there is fan backlash. If the league has a standard, please hold all players to that standard.

when something is expunged from your record it's like it never happened - legally speaking, of course the action itself may have happened so the pain, heartache, regret etc is all real and can never be erased.

Employment is often based on a criminal record not the action or the pain that may have been caused to people.  Is that right or wrong?  Everyone's thoughts and opinions are welcome and encouraged but the standard for employment is usually an official criminal record that most of us have had checked for our jobs.

Nik Lewis has some comments regarding the situation on twitter as well..

[Ridermania]

CFL had to approve the signing.

Upon review from the command centre.........

[ModAdmin]

CFL had to approve the signing.

Upon review from the command centre.........

My understanding is that the league has to sign off on all contracts before an public announcement is issued.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Is it just me or does anyone remember Houston at HB?  Did he ever play CB for us?  It could just be my hazy memory.  I didn't really care enough about DBs back when Houston was here to file in my memory who was corner vs half.  Now I do...

Nope, Houston played CB, famous for making interceptions and allowing huge explosion plays when failing to jump the ball, he's a gambler.

Kind of strange they brought back 2 DB's, Dandy likely sits on PR along with Dexter Lawson once Houston gets up to speed and Vaval goes back to returns once Parker is healthy.  I like Payton Logan but Vaval is a better fit with his ability to also play DB, I don't see them making that switch now.

[Jesse]

CFL had to approve the signing.

Upon review from the command centre.........

He's practicing today. League approved.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

This particular charge was dropped, but apparently it was just the latest in a long series of abuse that the victim has been afraid to press charges on because Houston is the sole provider for the household.

It's a really sad story.

And plenty of people don't care about a player's personal life if they can help the team, but let's not pretend it doesn't exist.

The problem is it legally doesn't exist if it's expunged and this is just my opinion personally, but I'm not comfortable being my own judge or jury in a case like this.

I have no way of knowing what happened or didn't happen. I do know that the incarceration rates are quite high nation wide for young males like Houston in the US, and so I'm not prepared to cast judgement over and above that standard. In my opinion, it's quite a high bar already.

Do what feels right to you.