The Nut Punch / Disciplinary Action

[bomberjunkie]

I'm a little surprised that this topic hasn't been floated in here yet.

https://3downnation.com/2026/09/17/cfl-suspends-josh-hagerty-two-games-for-striking-liam-talbot/

Long story short, the Montréal v BC game got really heated. During the game, Josh Haggerty, not once, but twice, in the course of special teams play punched Liam Talbot below the belt that he had to go for season ending surgery with life altering implications.

There's a lot wrong with this picture.

1) Why is a 6yr vet targeting a rookie continuously?
2) Yes, I've heard of linemen doing this from time to time, but this was violent force.
3) Is a 2 game suspension adequate for this?
4) Does this match the league's explanation of past precedent or should this set a new precedent?
5) Is there enough grounds for this to turn into a criminal investigation such as McSorley or Bertuzzi?

[Waffler]

Personally I am revolted. Honestly that it happened at all and then was deemed a 2 game offense, it turns me off football. This is sport? This incident made headlines in the USA too and they don't even care about the CFL.

If the CFL won't do something further then BC should. Buck Pierce, Amar Doman or SOMEONE has to act, show some leadership. The message this is not who we are as a team should be sent.

What do you think MOS would do if it was his player?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Personally I am revolted. Honestly that it happened at all and then was deemed a 2 game offense, it turns me off football. This is sport? This incident made headlines in the USA too and they don't even care about the CFL.

If the CFL won't do something further then BC should. Buck Pierce, Amar Doman or SOMEONE has to act, show some leadership. The message this is not who we are as a team should be sent.

What do you think MOS would do if it was his player?

Don't forget Haggerty was on the Bombers briefly before he was with the Lions I don't believe he ever saw the field due to injury, but Miller and O'Shea knew him well enough to want to bring him in.

[LXTSN]

Personally I am revolted. Honestly that it happened at all and then was deemed a 2 game offense, it turns me off football. This is sport? This incident made headlines in the USA too and they don't even care about the CFL.

If the CFL won't do something further then BC should. Buck Pierce, Amar Doman or SOMEONE has to act, show some leadership. The message this is not who we are as a team should be sent.

What do you think MOS would do if it was his player?

I don't think there will be any additional discipline from the Lions, but they will for sure think a little less of him. His teammates and coaches will all see the video.
I know everyone makes mistakes but this is just so far outside of football. He's not trying to do anything other than punch him in the balls. I think this will mess with chemistry on defense for the Lions, and long term it's going to hurt the Lions more to keep him than to get rid of him.

Hope that other guy is okay.

[bomberjunkie]

How this differs from any other shenanigans that linemen often participate in is that they do that to throw the other team off their game.

This is malicious intent to injure. You can't tell me from looking at the footage that those are playful uppercuts to the groin.

I've read the league thinks the suspension would be appealed immediately by the PA if it was longer, which would be really disappointing if that truly was the case.

[Tecno]

This was discussed, in the other team news thread. But it probably should have had its own thread from the beginning.

What I find odd is why not just kick or knee him in the nads. Why would you want to touch his junk? That's just weird, and he might get smacktalked about this until the end of time. If you knee the guy while you're running or falling or whatever you might be able to get away with it.

Why do something where it's so obvious you're going to get caught.

And I bet this isn't the first time. So every player who ever got hit by this guy needs to come out and me too him to death. Problem is, most guys would be ashamed to admit it, just like the mtl player was until he needed surgery.

[Waffler]

What I find odd is why not just kick or knee him in the nads. Why would you want to touch his junk? That's just weird, and he might get smacktalked about this until the end of time. If you knee the guy while you're running or falling or whatever you might be able to get away with it.

Some think it was not a punch but a grab and twist motion. If you look for it that does seem what he did. That's why hand, not knee. Purposeful mutilation. I'd be talking to a lawyer if I was Talbot.

[bomberjunkie]

This was discussed, in the other team news thread.

I wasn't aware there was an other team news thread. I'll look for it next time.