The Ruling...
https://www.cfl.ca/2025/05/07/collaros-suspended-one-game-for-failure-to-respond-to-cces-officials-for-drug-test/
Winnipeg Blue Bombers issue statement regarding Zach Collaros ruling
WINNIPEG, MB., May 7, 2025 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers President and CEO, Wade Miller, has issued the following statement regarding today's ruling on the one game suspension of quarterback Zach Collaros.
"Zach Collaros is one of the most respected leaders in our locker room and across the CFL. He's a professional in every sense—committed, accountable, and a true example of what it means to be a Blue Bomber.
There was no intent for wrongdoing by Zach—just a missed step in the process. Both the CFL and CFLPA have since clarified and improved their communication protocols to help ensure this doesn't happen to other players in the CFL.
Zach will miss our first regular season game but will continue to fully participate in training camp and preseason games. As an organization, we're also reviewing and strengthening how we support players in navigating offseason requirements.
Zach remains an incredibly valued leader on and off the field, and we look forward to having him back under centre on June 21."
What fresh hell is this? Ugh.
Seriously, what an absurd turn of events.
If it was me I'd be a week late responding.
He has to be glued to his phone all off season? DURING the season ok, then no excuse. But offseason? 24 hours notice?
Quote from: Waffler on May 07, 2025, 06:10:51 PMIf it was me I'd be a week late responding.
He has to be glued to his phone all off season? DURING the season ok, then no excuse. But offseason? 24 hours notice?
Yes it's apart of the job.
A world class organization that will get through this by teamwork and next man up. Terrible news but we shall overcome this 1st hurdle. Never easy. I expect slow start on offence as we digest this issue and deal with changes on the OL.
Note: A member stated the Zach Collaros skipped a drug test. That accusation has not been proved and was therefore removed.
These are serious matters and any attempt that people make to write their own unproven conclusion will always be removed.
Players have only Two hours to respond?
Is that it? And no response = suspension?
If so, this is a Nonsensical rule.
More details from Jeff Hamilton
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/07/collaros-takes-off-field-hit (https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/07/collaros-takes-off-field-hit)
One takeaway from article:
Collaros could appeal a 2 game suspension or accept a 1 game suspension without an appeal. He chose the path of least distractions.
Quote from: bluengold204 on May 07, 2025, 06:21:02 PMYes it's apart of the job.
That's true. It's apart of the job but of course not a part of the job.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on May 07, 2025, 07:14:45 PMMore details from Jeff Hamilton
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/07/collaros-takes-off-field-hit (https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/07/collaros-takes-off-field-hit)
One takeaway from article:
Collaros could appeal a 2 game suspension or accept a 1 game suspension without an appeal. He chose the path of least distractions.
A good leader doing what's best. Lesson learned. Non issue handled internally.
That sucks.
Hoping that now the team the player is under contract to is notified as well, so that they can make teh effort to confirm the player abides by the rules.
Sucks to lose him for the opener, but that's a sell out anyway.
Means we will see a live fire QB tryout game 1. Not the worst thing, really.
How is it a two game suspension to not respond within 24 hours during the off season?
This seems so ridiculous.
Quote from: ModAdmin on May 07, 2025, 06:43:21 PMNote: A member stated the Zach Collaros skipped a drug test. That accusation has not been proved and was therefore removed.
These are serious matters and any attempt that people make to write their own unproven conclusion will always be removed.
It's literally the headline of the article you posted though.
Quote from: Jesse on May 07, 2025, 08:15:20 PMIt's literally the headline of the article you posted though.
The article states he failed to respond within 24 hours to the request for a drug test. That's not the same thing as skipping a drug test.
This is nonsensical and arbitrary - to the point the league and the players' association have agreed to changes.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 07, 2025, 08:01:58 PMHoping that now the team the player is under contract to is notified as well, so that they can make teh effort to confirm the player abides by the rules.
Sucks to lose him for the opener, but that's a sell out anyway.
Means we will see a live fire QB tryout game 1. Not the worst thing, really.
Apparently Darren Cameron left a message on his phone the same day trying to inform him, but he didn't review his messages until a week later.
Off-season drug testing requests should be sent by registered mail, IMO.
This is all pretty bush league if you ask me.
(https://c.tenor.com/8upgOpYjh00AAAAd/tenor.gif)
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on May 07, 2025, 08:37:23 PMOff-season drug testing requests should be sent by registered mail, IMO.
This is all pretty bush league if you ask me.
(https://c.tenor.com/8upgOpYjh00AAAAd/tenor.gif)
Or they could contact the team or his agent.
Sounds like Collaros is doing the right thing. Take responsibility for not answering the phone, text, email, and voice recording. Take the one game and move on.
Quote from: Pigskin on May 07, 2025, 08:49:19 PMOr they could contact the team or his agent.
If you want to reach me, you contact my wife. If this was me, I'd also miss every single comms method for weeks and weeks, especially if I was on "vacation".
Should have contacted his wife! ;)
* Actually, there's one other way to reach me quickly: post on this forum!
Quote from: Jesse on May 07, 2025, 08:14:32 PMHow is it a two game suspension to not respond within 24 hours during the off season?
This seems so ridiculous.
If he received the comms, say, 48 hours after, he should have immediately gone in and done a voluntary PED test, even if he has to contract a private lab. So it seems like it was a week later, he still should have done this to show he's "clean".
Ridersfans are gonna have a field day with this one. First "Juice Harris", now it's gonna be Zach. Ugh. We don't need this kind of rep, especially since we're always winning. Best to nip these things in the bud.
Did the league force him to take the test as soon as he responded? Or is it like "oh you missed it, no test and 1-2 game suspension". We don't want to give any actual PED abuser an out by "missing" their test.
Quote from: bluengold204 on May 07, 2025, 06:21:02 PMYes it's apart of the job.
Guess it's a good thing they never randomly picked Janarion Grant for off-season PED testing. No one can get a hold of him for *months*, apparently.
Don't know if this should have its own thread, but this makes the backup QB issue front and center going into week 1.
* made a new thread, put "what QB" talk in the new thread
I think if Strev is 90%+ it'll be Strev. If not then surely Wilson.
I don't think Patterson will be anywhere near up to speed on the book by then.
Depending on how much Dolegala learned last season, it may be really sucking about now that we just released him like a few days ago. He may have been the best bet if Strev is not good to go.
In any event, this majorly sucks our 1st game is at home. Many attendees will be like "where's Zach?" and feel ripped off, especially if BC creams us, which seems highly likely with no Zach.
Every year lately is something or other. Passports. Legal fiascos. Suspensions. We don't want to turn into the Argos! I thought we had moved past that by letting Kenny walk.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 07, 2025, 09:30:08 PMDon't know if this should have its own thread, but this makes the backup QB issue front and center going into week 1.
I think if Strev is 90%+ it'll be Strev. If not then surely Wilson.
I don't think Patterson will be anywhere near up to speed on the book by then.
Depending on how much Dolegala learned last season, it may be really sucking about now that we just released him like a few days ago. He may have been the best bet if Strev is not good to go.
In any event, this majorly sucks our 1st game is at home. Many attendees will be like "where's Zach?" and feel ripped off, especially if BC creams us, which seems highly likely with no Zach.
Every year lately is something or other. Passports. Legal fiascos. Suspensions. We don't want to turn into the Argos! I thought we had moved past that by letting Kenny walk.
I would like a thread to discuss how this impacts our approach to evaluating and utilizing our QBs. A hot topic to be sure!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 07, 2025, 09:31:38 PMDoes this mean Zach can or can't play in the PS? We don't want another season preceded by a starters-don't-get-any-reps PS. That killed us last season.
See below
Quote from: Blueforlife on May 07, 2025, 09:35:50 PMSee below
Thanks, I read the TC part but missed the PS part on first read.
Good that he'll get PS reps! However, that may feel a bit "weird" knowing he'll be out for game 1.
He may get some bad boos if he takes the field in the PS2 @SSK game.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 07, 2025, 09:30:08 PMDon't know if this should have its own thread, but this makes the backup QB issue front and center going into week 1.
I think if Strev is 90%+ it'll be Strev. If not then surely Wilson.
I don't think Patterson will be anywhere near up to speed on the book by then.
Depending on how much Dolegala learned last season, it may be really sucking about now that we just released him like a few days ago. He may have been the best bet if Strev is not good to go.
In any event, this majorly sucks our 1st game is at home. Many attendees will be like "where's Zach?" and feel ripped off, especially if BC creams us, which seems highly likely with no Zach.
Every year lately is something or other. Passports. Legal fiascos. Suspensions. We don't want to turn into the Argos! I thought we had moved past that by letting Kenny walk.
Why not let the incoming QB's compete for the start in TC and the pre-season games, imagine real competition, the QB who performs the best gets the start.
I made a new thread for the week 1 starter question.
Quote from: Pigskin on May 07, 2025, 08:49:19 PMOr they could contact the team or his agent.
They obviously did if Cameron was trying to reach him the same day, question is how hard did he try to get hold of Zach? If he left 10 messages on his phone maybe something would have clicked that he should tune back in and respond.
I'm not even sure I agree with these athletes getting tested in the off-season. Once the season starts, sure, but in the off-season? I see the NFL does this as well. I had no idea. Seems ridiculous to me.
I'm not sure why you're immediately suspended either. For a multiple offender, sure. But a 14 year vet on his first misstep gets a suspension without any leeway? There's no fine or opportunity to makeup for your mistake?
This is embarassing, you couldn't get a hold of Collaros using his phone number, so call his emergency contact number and see if they can track him down. To do nothing but leave repeated messages on a phone he isn't answering isn't a very good plan. And what are they doing to ensure this doesn't happen again?? Bush league doesn't begin to describe this situation.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 07, 2025, 09:49:21 PMIf he left 10 messages on his phone maybe something would have clicked that he should tune back in and respond.
Maybe WFC should get every player one of the old-skool pagers the size of a matchbox you wear on your belt. One that works in USA + Canada. Only for official WFC business. No one advertises the service/product anymore but last I checked a few years ago you could still get/have one.
Boom, problem solved. It's like the bat-signal: you get the beep, you respond.
There is also some neat push-notification alarm-beeping even-if-quiet-mode apps you can get for phones. That can break through anything except plane mode. And if you only use it once in a blue moon the players can be taught to not ignore it. (I use "pushover".) WFC could invest in this for a couple bucks per phone. Give me a call if you want to implement it, I do stuff like this for a living!
Quote from: dd on May 07, 2025, 10:51:23 PMThis is embarassing, you couldn't get a hold of Collaros using his phone number, so call his emergency contact number and see if they can track him down.
Agreed. Rider's forum isn't having as much fun with this as I would have guessed. But they did say, that Kelce said, that Zach would zone out sometimes, miss bills, etc. I can totally relate to the zoning out part (I don't miss bills though!). Take the above with massive boulders of salt since it's hearsay of hearsay, via the Greenie forum no less!
Modadmin put this on the rookie camp thread, and it also has relevance here.
The first half it mostly Zach/QB questions. Sounds like the team wasn't really notified (or maybe not in any useful amount of time), even though it's been reported (here?) Cameron knew/tried.
Also, not sure it's been said here yet (for those who don't read/watch the media): this test screwup seems to have taken place in February or earlier. Zach definitely mentions Feb, but that may be when he found out about the calls. Anyhow it's sometime around then.
My point is, and this may be important, this all took place deep in the off-season when nothing is happening football-wise for players, and Zach wouldn't have even been in town (probably), but back home in Ohio(?). It's like if I was on vacay on a boat for a week or something. I ain't answering squat, so I wouldn't even know if something important came up.
P.S. Love the Farmer Mike motif. I want one of those hats. Great for yard work.
So if a player is on holiday in Jamacia, and they partake in Jamaican things...and they get a call that night, do they have to pee the next day?
Quote from: BomberFan73 on May 08, 2025, 12:00:30 PMSo if a player is on holiday in Jamacia, and they partake in Jamaican things...and they get a call that night, do they have to pee the next day?
These tests are only for PEDs, not recreational drugs.
"Within the Bombers organization, there's a long-standing joke that if someone wants Collaros to see an email, you must call him first.
As proof, he pulled out his phone during the Free Press interview, revealing 89 unread text messages and more than 55,000 unread emails."
Legend. I only have 645 unread emails.
It's pretty wild that you can give an opposing player CTE and get like a $100 fine but you can be suspended multiple games if you miss a phone call.
Man, I don't even answer my phone anymore. Most calls I get are from India telling me I owe the CRA $10,000. I wonder what info I'm missing out on...
Ok a somewhat rhetorical question. A suspended player doesn't get paid. Collaros earns about $34K per game. Does that reduce his SMS cost for week 1 in the same way being on a 6 game IR would?
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 08, 2025, 06:16:59 PMOk a somewhat rhetorical question. A suspended player doesn't get paid. Collaros earns about $34K per game. Does that reduce his SMS cost for week 1 in the same way being on a 6 game IR would?
I was curious about the financial side as well! A costly missed call LOL.
pick up the phone ;)
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 08, 2025, 06:16:59 PMOk a somewhat rhetorical question. A suspended player doesn't get paid. Collaros earns about $34K per game. Does that reduce his SMS cost for week 1 in the same way being on a 6 game IR would?
In the NHL, you would not get cap relief for on-ice violations, but you do for off ice infractions (such as a failed drug test). If it's similar in the CFL, then we would get SMS relief.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 08, 2025, 06:16:59 PMOk a somewhat rhetorical question. A suspended player doesn't get paid. Collaros earns about $34K per game. Does that reduce his SMS cost for week 1 in the same way being on a 6 game IR would?
If the money doesn't leave the club, then I'm pretty sure it's off-SMS. I was thinking the exact same thing as you, but I didn't do the math. Don't forget to back out the signing bonus and MM, if any.
$34k is a nice bump to entice anyone we may find ourselves needing to entice to sign in the next few months.
Quote from: The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB on May 08, 2025, 02:31:32 PM"Within the Bombers organization, there's a long-standing joke that if someone wants Collaros to see an email, you must call him first.
As proof, he pulled out his phone during the Free Press interview, revealing 89 unread text messages and more than 55,000 unread emails."
I can totally relate. That is me. (But only 18k emails.) If you're the fastidious type who thinks this is impossible and Zach is lying -- he's not.
Should have called the wife. My wife lines up the work, I do the work. Easy peasy.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 09, 2025, 03:54:29 AMI can totally relate. That is me. (But only 18k emails.) If you're the fastidious type who thinks this is impossible and Zach is lying -- he's not.
I'm with most of you on this one. If I was Zach, I would see this off-season time as
my time. Zach is a family man and is wholly dedicated to being with his family 24/7 when he's not playing football. Anyone that knows him and has interacted with him knows this. I feel certain that the last thing he wants during his free off-season time is to be tethered to his phone and I don't blame him one bit for that. The real issue to me is the poor attempt that was made to contact Zach outside of leaving messages on his phone. I also agree with the other poster who pointed out that if getting in touch with Zach was so important they should have implemented methods other than strictly phone contact. There are lots of other ways they could have reached out to Zach if this was so important. To now suspend him looks extremely petty to me. They should test him and when he comes back clean they should apologise and all should be forgiven with no suspension. There is no way he should be getting suspended for any reason other than testing dirty.
1. The rules are the rules and Zach knew what the rules are because he knows other players who missed a call.
2. It's 3 ways of contact Phone call, Text, & email not one.
3. It's 24 hours to get back, not 1 hour.
4. Testing him now wouldn't mean that he was clean when they tried to get in contact with him.
5. There shouldn't be any SMS relief for a suspension.
6. Knowing that he has to get back to the league within 24 hours means he should check his voice mails once a day.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 09, 2025, 03:51:07 AMIf the money doesn't leave the club, then I'm pretty sure it's off-SMS. I was thinking the exact same thing as you, but I didn't do the math. Don't forget to back out the signing bonus and MM, if any.
$34k is a nice bump to entice anyone we may find ourselves needing to entice to sign in the next few months.
IIRC his advance money was $100K, so that equates to $5K-$5.5K reduction in my $34K estimate, so maybe down to $28K give or take. Noting that was about the amount we went over the SMS in 2024.
So it is a worthwhile savings if they get it.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 01:33:20 PM1. The rules are the rules and Zach knew what the rules are because he knows other players who missed a call.
2. It's 3 ways of contact Phone call, Text, & email not one.
3. It's 24 hours to get back, not 1 hour.
4. Testing him now wouldn't mean that he was clean when they tried to get in contact with him.
5. There shouldn't be any SMS relief for a suspension.
6. Knowing that he has to get back to the league within 24 hours means he should check his voice mails once a day.
Item 5: I don't agree with you but that doesn't mean you are incorrect. I would point out that there may be a difference between an on field resulting in a suspension as opposed to an off season suspension.
There is a systemic problem with the process. So again, I can't really agree with any of those ideas.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 09, 2025, 01:41:13 PMItem 5: I don't agree with you but that doesn't mean you are incorrect. I would point out that there may be a difference between an on field resulting in a suspension as opposed to an off season suspension.
There is a systemic problem with the process. So again, I can't really agree with any of those ideas.
Suspension shouldn't equal SMS relief otherwise teams could find reasons to suspend players just to get SMS relief.
I'm not arguing that the process is perfect. I'm saying the process is the process that we had when Zach was contacted, therefore he gets a suspension that he earned from not following that process.
Going forward, I'd like to see that club & the agent to be notified at the same time as the player, to increase the chances that contact is made. .
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 01:48:46 PMSuspension shouldn't equal SMS relief otherwise teams could find reasons to suspend players just to get SMS relief.
I'm not arguing that the process is perfect. I'm saying the process is the process that we had when Zach was contacted, therefore he gets a suspension that he earned from not following that process.
Going forward, I'd like to see that club & the agent to be notified at the same time as the player, to increase the chances that contact is made. .
A suspension by the league is not the equivalent of a team suspension.
Everything about the suspension process is a systemic problem. Every time a player is suspended and appeals it takes forever to resolve. That's not the case in this example. However Collaros was suspended for 2 games if he choose to appeal and 1 game if he didn't appeal.
That in itself is BS. Suggesting that the process is the process makes this right or fair is unreasonable. The process already has lots of grey in making final decisions.
I don't believe this has ever happened previously. So the intent of the law and the execution of the law needed to be considered. I would suggest it was well in the power of the league to just issue a fine and enforce the test rather than an immediate suspension.
Not that the status of a player should carry the most weight but geez. Collaros is a top player level and it creates a horrible PR message.
The process is ostensibly broken and only further reinforces the CFL's bush league image, IMO.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 09, 2025, 02:13:49 PMA suspension by the league is not the equivalent of a team suspension.
Everything about the suspension process is a systemic problem. Every time a player is suspended and appeals it takes forever to resolve. That's not the case in this example. However Collaros was suspended for 2 games if he choose to appeal and 1 game if he didn't appeal.
That in itself is BS. Suggesting that the process is the process makes this right or fair is unreasonable. The process already has lots of grey in making final decisions.
I don't believe this has ever happened previously. So the intent of the law and the execution of the law needed to be considered. I would suggest it was well in the power of the league to just issue a fine and enforce the test rather than an immediate suspension.
Not that the status of a player should carry the most weight but geez. Collaros is a top player level and it creates a horrible PR message.
I don't see any valid argument that suspensions should reward teams with SMS relief.
Suspensions should have an appeal process. The fact it takes too long could/should be dealt with between the CFL and the PA, but have nothing to do with suspending Zach in particular.
Intent isn't part of the suspension, neither is the status of the player.
Think of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 03:10:43 PMThink of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.
False equivalency.
Not sure if the player salary under a league imposed suspension is levied as a fine paid to the league/PA or if it the suspension just means no game cheque, in which case it is an $SMS gain.
Yes, players suspended by the team for violations or inability to perform their contracts do not get paid, and that does give $SMS relief for the contract not paid. Like Lawler's suspension.
$30k is not a lot of $SMS releif, and we will have to roster an additional player in his stead with a full game day cheque, so if we do not get $SMS relief for the suspension, it actually costs the team $SMS.
On the other side of things, we get to carry 3 non-Collaros QB's into the first game of the season... kind of a silver lining. Although it looks like the Elgersma conundrum is all but solved if he signs in Green Bay, which looks likely.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 03:10:43 PMI don't see any valid argument that suspensions should reward teams with SMS relief.
Suspensions should have an appeal process. The fact it takes too long could/should be dealt with between the CFL and the PA, but have nothing to do with suspending Zach in particular.
Intent isn't part of the suspension, neither is the status of the player.
Think of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.
You fail to see the difference between an in game violation and an off season issue. Beyond that, IIRC Lemon was suspended for permanently. Should his salary for an entire season be counted against the SMS last year?
I think posters can give you a bunch of reasons why it should not count against the SMS. Likewise can probably give you reasons why you " can't see a valid argument ". That's an odd position to take an IMO you be be in an extreme minority.
Note that I pointed out that Collaros was subject to a 2 game suspension where he could have appealed. He choose a 1 game suspension which didn't allow an appeal.
2 games for missing a drug test he didn't know he was to take. OTOH a player suspended 1 game for taking a cheap shot on another player. Or a player suspended for actually failing a drug test.
Take about equivalency. Yikes.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 09, 2025, 03:34:53 PMNot sure if the player salary under a league imposed suspension is levied as a fine paid to the league/PA or if it the suspension just means no game cheque, in which case it is an $SMS gain.
Yes, players suspended by the team for violations or inability to perform their contracts do not get paid, and that does give $SMS relief for the contract not paid. Like Lawler's suspension.
$30k is not a lot of $SMS releif, and we will have to roster an additional player in his stead with a full game day cheque, so if we do not get $SMS relief for the suspension, it actually costs the team $SMS.
On the other side of things, we get to carry 3 non-Collaros QB's into the first game of the season... kind of a silver lining. Although it looks like the Elgersma conundrum is all but solved if he signs in Green Bay, which looks likely.
An ELC QB or close to it will only be about $4K but it is an additional issue as it applies to SMS.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 01:33:20 PM1. The rules are the rules and Zach knew what the rules are because he knows other players who missed a call.
2. It's 3 ways of contact Phone call, Text, & email not one.
3. It's 24 hours to get back, not 1 hour.
4. Testing him now wouldn't mean that he was clean when they tried to get in contact with him.
5. There shouldn't be any SMS relief for a suspension.
6. Knowing that he has to get back to the league within 24 hours means he should check his voice mails once a day.
Have to agree, the process is not perfect but the rules are currently the rules and Zach has no legitimate excuse for not following them. Not properly managing any of your communication channels is going to lead to a heck of a lot of problems in any line of work, if he can't handle the responsibility he should appoint a custodian who can.
If they allowed Zach a free pass due to his star status it would generate accusations of favouritism from every other team in the league and many players would be quick to use the same convenient excuse, making the CFL drug testing process much less efficient. Remember the CFLPA was involved and approved this plan on behalf of their members.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 09, 2025, 04:36:01 PMHave to agree, the process is not perfect but the rules are currently the rules and Zach has no legitimate excuse for not following them. Not properly managing any of your communication channels is going to lead to a heck of a lot of problems in any line of work, if he can't handle the responsibility he should appoint a custodian who can.
If they allowed Zach a free pass due to his star status it would generate accusations of favouritism from every other team in the league and many players would be quick to use the same convenient excuse, making the CFL drug testing process much less efficient. Remember the CFLPA was involved and approved this plan on behalf of their members.
On the surface that makes sense. In reality there are too many reasons why it doesn't in the off season. A player could be on an African safari, be out hunting or on a cruise ship somewhere without access to WIFI? Who knows.
The system isn't broken, the people within it are!!
If you are a player in the CFL, you will be subject to random testing, you will be notified via phone, text and email of your need to show up for a test, failing to do so, will result in a suspension. Pretty cut and dry.
If you are going to be out of cell phone or WIFI, notify the club and agent, as failing to do so during your period of inaccessibility may result in a suspension.
Carrying on like you're a 5 year old and not checking your phone is nobody's fault but you're own. Its a condition of your employment you do. Quit making excuses for this, as there is no excuse for this. It's embarrassing and disappointing that a grown man can't be more responsible than this.
I've been silent on this as it's played out, and I'll be careful with my words. I apply a bit of a PR hat when something like this comes out and in my experience in doing this kind of work what is not said is as interesting as what is said.
Firstly, it sounds very much like a process that needs improving, however, applying some common sense: according to 3Down, Collaros estimates he's been drug tested between 7 and 10 times over his 14-year career.
Two pretty big questions that come to mind, and I've yet to see them formally answered in any official communication(if they have thanks for linking it):
1. Is this very first time he's been contacted in the off-season?
2. What is the gap of time between the day he was contacted to be tested and when he actually got tested?
If I was doing the releases and the answer to number one was yes and number 2 was a very short interval I would have absolutely included it. I see no downsides. If the answer is no and a large gap then as a fan I have additional questions and with a PR hat on I can see why we're taking the suspension.
Source:
https://3downnation.com/2025/05/07/cflpa-condemns-flawed-process-that-led-to-suspension-of-winnipeg-blue-bombers-qb-zach-collaros/
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 09, 2025, 04:25:04 PMYou fail to see the difference between an in game violation and an off season issue. Beyond that, IIRC Lemon was suspended for permanently. Should his salary for an entire season be counted against the SMS last year?
I think posters can give you a bunch of reasons why it should not count against the SMS. Likewise can probably give you reasons why you " can't see a valid argument ". That's an odd position to take an IMO you be be in an extreme minority.
Note that I pointed out that Collaros was subject to a 2 game suspension where he could have appealed. He choose a 1 game suspension which didn't allow an appeal.
2 games for missing a drug test he didn't know he was to take. OTOH a player suspended 1 game for taking a cheap shot on another player. Or a player suspended for actually failing a drug test.
Take about equivalency. Yikes.
A suspension is a suspension. I don't care what it's for or why it was given. I'd say a permanent suspension = the contract is voided, but a game suspension doesn't mean a void contract, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
Maybe the Kenny Lawler suspension is what we should expect. Did we pay him? Did it count against the SMS? The same thing should happen with Zach.
He chose to take one game without an appeal, how is that a problem for you? If he had any recourse, he would have taken the 2 games with an appeal.
The suspension was for ignoring the phone calls, text messages, email & voice mail about a drug test for more than 24 hours as required. That's the rule. Them's the breaks. Collaros understands and accepts it. You should too.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 06:34:19 PMA suspension is a suspension. I don't care what it's for or why it was given. I'd say a permanent suspension = the contract is voided, but a game suspension doesn't mean a void contract, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
Maybe the Kenny Lawler suspension is what we should expect. Did we pay him? Did it count against the SMS? The same thing should happen with Zach.
He chose to take one game without an appeal, how is that a problem for you? If he had any recourse, he would have taken the 2 games with an appeal.
The suspension was for ignoring the phone calls, text messages, email & voice mail about a drug test for more than 24 hours as required. That's the rule. Them's the breaks. Collaros understands and accepts it. You should too.
It was reported that it was an unknown number that he choose to ignore. We all do that every day. Suspensions are gradient. The more severe the issue the longer the potential suspension.
That's the same as driving over the speed limit. 10 Km's over is not the same as 100KM's over. So no a suspension is not the same at every situation. Some suspensions are 1 game, others are 3 games and in some cases we've seen 6 game suspensions.
So there is no reason for me to accept it. Collaros choose the lesser of 2 evils.
From the Sun:
QuoteThe league says drug-testers tried to reach Collaros four times, twice by phone, once by text and once by email over a two-hour period.
The 36-year-old, who lives in Ontario, failed to respond within 24 hours. This happened in February.
Under the league's drug policy, players who refuse drug tests are presumed to have failed and get an automatic two-game suspension.
But Bombers CEO Wade Miller got involved, and after a few months of back-and-forth the league and players union agreed two games was too stiff a penalty in this situation.
From Global:
Quote"You miss a call. I didn't see it in the moment," Collaros told reporters after the first day of rookie camp. "I didn't even realize that it had happened until a week later when the PA (CFLPA) reached out to me and I went back and looked and there was a call there and a text message there as well.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 09, 2025, 06:39:50 PMIt was reported that it was an unknown number that he choose to ignore. We all do that every day. Suspensions are gradient. The more severe the issue the longer the potential suspension.
That's the same as driving over the speed limit. 10 Km's over is not the same as 100KM's over. So no a suspension is not the same at every situation. Some suspensions are 1 game, others are 3 games and in some cases we've seen 6 game suspensions.
So there is no reason for me to accept it. Collaros choose the lesser of 2 evils.
I ignore unknown numbers, but if I had a drug test policy that required me to respond within 24 hours, I'd check my texts/voice mails once a day to make sure I was in compliance.
You're arguing around everything except the key point. Did he reply to the drug test request within 24 hours of being contacted (4 times in 2 hours)? The answer is No, and it's an automatic 2 game suspension. We're lucky that Miller got involved and got it cut down to 1 game.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on May 09, 2025, 02:21:31 PMThe process is ostensibly broken and only further reinforces the CFL's bush league image, IMO.
Jeff Hamilton is speculating that, much like the league suddenly enforcing former draft picks who returned to school as "counters", this is a rule that has been on the books but never applied - now suddenly someone decided to whip it out out of nowhere with no warning.
This would explain why no one recalls this happening to another player before.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on May 09, 2025, 02:21:31 PMThe process is ostensibly broken and only further reinforces the CFL's bush league image, IMO.
If you watch all the pressers, of MOS and Zach, they reference the league admitting the process is broken and that the
league has since changed how they will handle this in the future.
MOS said that was the part that irked him the most. It sounded like under the new policy Zach would not have been suspended. Go watch the MOS presser.
So Zach will be the last person (and maybe the first, if no one can remember another guy!) to ever be suspended due to "missed phone call" in this manner.
And yes, that makes it all seems stupid and bush league. If WM gets the league to admit it's an unfair/difficult policy to the extent they ease off 1 of the game suspensions, then they probably could have retroactively changed the policy and given him whatever the new policy prescribes.
Quote from: TBURGESS on May 09, 2025, 03:10:43 PMThink of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.
No, this is like never having gotten the physical ticket. (Happened to me once with a parking ticket: I didn't have to pay the full thing.)
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 10, 2025, 02:40:29 AMIf you watch all the pressers, of MOS and Zach, they reference the league admitting the process is broken and that the league has since changed how they will handle this in the future.
MOS said that was the part that irked him the most. It sounded like under the new policy Zach would not have been suspended. Go watch the MOS presser.
So Zach will be the last person (and maybe the first, if no one can remember another guy!) to ever be suspended due to "missed phone call" in this manner.
And yes, that makes it all seems stupid and bush league. If WM gets the league to admit it's an unfair/difficult policy to the extent they ease off 1 of the game suspensions, then they probably could have retroactively changed the policy and given him whatever the new policy prescribes.
Yup.
I'm not sure how they can agree that the team and agent need to be called to make this fair, but still hold Zach to a non-existent standard.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 10, 2025, 02:41:58 AMNo, this is like never having gotten the physical ticket. (Happened to me once with a parking ticket: I didn't have to pay the full thing.)
It feels more like the city changed the speed limit but never changed the street signs.
So when Zach was driving 60 because the sign said 60, but he got a ticket for the new limit of 50.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 09, 2025, 06:28:15 PM2. What is the gap of time between the day he was contacted to be tested and when he actually got tested?
If I was doing the releases and the answer to number one was yes and number 2 was a very short interval I would have absolutely included it. I see no downsides. If the answer is no and a large gap then as a fan I have additional questions and with a PR hat on I can see why we're taking the suspension.
Yes, there are a lot of unanswered questions, and potential obfuscation occurring.
One of the pressers someone said it was
at least a week before Zach found out he missed something. However, no one has said he went in for any PED test at all. That's a bit odd. No one has yet said "ya when I noticed the VM I went into the lab the next day".
The policy may be that if you miss the test you get your suspension(s) and taking a any "make up" test is moot.
And surely the policy must have exceptions for people vacaying in Guam with no lab for 2500 miles.
Quote from: Jesse on May 09, 2025, 10:58:52 PMJeff Hamilton is speculating that, much like the league suddenly enforcing former draft picks who returned to school as "counters", this is a rule that has been on the books but never applied - now suddenly someone decided to whip it out out of nowhere with no warning.
This would explain why no one recalls this happening to another player before.
Tinfoil mode: Someone at the league is sick of WPG making the GC and wants to tilt the field. Considering we often win the west just by 1 (or less!) game(s), causing us to lose game 1 might be enough to let SSK win the W in '25. And we all know how much home field means in the WDF! Maybe they want to avoid a situation where it's WDF @PAS and then GC @PAS a week later.
Not saying I believe this, but it would be odd if no player has ever been suspended for failing to respond to an off-season PED test before!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 10, 2025, 02:47:13 AMAnd surely the policy must have exceptions for people vacaying in Guam with no lab for 2500 miles.
And surely that doesn't apply in this situation.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 10, 2025, 02:51:08 AMTinfoil mode: Someone at the league is sick of WPG making the GC and wants to tilt the field. Considering we often win the west just by 1 (or less!) game(s), causing us to lose game 1 might be enough to let SSK win the W in '25. And we all know how much home field means in the WDF! Maybe they want to avoid a situation where it's WDF @PAS and then GC @PAS a week later.
Not saying I believe this, but it would be odd if no player has ever been suspended for failing to respond to an off-season PED test before!
Ya that's major tinfoil mode
The players all know this may happen to them -get randomly called for a PED test, so it's expected you watch your phone or get suspended. Collaros chose to run the risk and was suspended. There's no conspiracy just answer your **** phone!!
Another question: This has been brewing since Feb, eh? Yet the first anyone got any wind of it was this past week. That's a pretty tight ship, by all of Zach, WFC, and CFL. Should WFC have released some info earlier to get out ahead of it? Maybe?
Gotta hand it to all 3 parties: that's quite a lot of cogs in the works to not have a beans spill!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 11, 2025, 06:28:06 AMAnother question: This has been brewing since Feb, eh? Yet the first anyone got any wind of it was this past week. That's a pretty tight ship, by all of Zach, WFC, and CFL. Should WFC have released some info earlier to get out ahead of it? Maybe?
Gotta hand it to all 3 parties: that's quite a lot of cogs in the works to not have a beans spill!
Maybe there was nothing to spill. Maye the league just made the decision now and announced its ruling. But even in the event they all did know, what's there to get ahead of?? Strev is our #2 Qb, if Collaros is suspeneded/out, Strev is in.
Quote from: dd on May 12, 2025, 02:32:44 AMBut even in the event they all did know, what's there to get ahead of?? Strev is our #2 Qb, if Collaros is suspeneded/out, Strev is in.
Well, WFC clearly wanted their press release to be the first thing most fans saw, instead of random news site. That lets them put their own "spin" on it.