Kenny Lawler Suspension & RETURN!!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sounds like things are headed in the right direction. To bad the Lawler, his lawyer, and the Bombers, didn't check on these laws back in April. 

As mentioned in the article if Lawler would have left the country in the off-season as he usually does, he would have been aware of these outstanding issues when he re-applied for his work permit before re-entering Canada.

[the paw]

Wouldn?t this crap void Lawlers contract.  There has to be a clause for criminality  or unacceptable community profile.

No.  The Bombers were fully aware of the charges from the time they were first laid, and signed him with that knowledge.

I'm actually shocked that the immigration angle caught the Bombers by surprise.  Anyone who watches Border Security on TV knows that DUI can make you inadmissible.  The team deals with visa issues all the time.

[Jesse]

No.  The Bombers were fully aware of the charges from the time they were first laid, and signed him with that knowledge.

I'm actually shocked that the immigration angle caught the Bombers by surprise.  Anyone who watches Border Security on TV knows that DUI can make you inadmissible.  The team deals with visa issues all the time.

Someone - or everyone - definitely drop the ball.

[Jesse]

Wouldn?t this crap void Lawlers contract.  There has to be a clause for criminality  or unacceptable community profile.

I mean, we could cut him any time we want to.... But we kinda want him here, you know?

[Blue In BC]

No.  The Bombers were fully aware of the charges from the time they were first laid, and signed him with that knowledge.

I'm actually shocked that the immigration angle caught the Bombers by surprise.  Anyone who watches Border Security on TV knows that DUI can make you inadmissible.  The team deals with visa issues all the time.

That's for a DUI committed in the USA and crossing the border. Lawler's DUI was in Manitoba so it's not exactly the same. If it was he wouldn't have been able to come to Canada in 2022.

[longtimeblue]

  How the heck did he play in Edmonton last year? Was he a fugitive from justice? This is ridiculous and such a Canadian thing. We have people with multiple DUI convictions driving all over the place and they won't let this guy play football? How about he Ubers to the park and the airport? Good grief! Just dumb.

[Jesse]

  How the heck did he play in Edmonton last year? Was he a fugitive from justice? This is ridiculous and such a Canadian thing. We have people with multiple DUI convictions driving all over the place and they won't let this guy play football? How about he Ubers to the park and the airport? Good grief! Just dumb.

He just plead guilty in April of this year.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Did he practise today?

[dd]

I absolutely can?t believe people defending a guy caught for DUI and it?s somehow someone else?s fault. It?s lawler s fault for driving while drunk. End of story. It?s a crime. The year is 2023, not 1973. We ve been dealing with this issue for over 50 years , yet some dumb*sses can?t call a cab when their wasted.

Deal with the issue, like he should have and it would have been dealt with by now. But He didn?t. What a surprise. Don?t blame this on anyone but the guy who committed the crime. First he commits the crime, then he doesn?t deal with it.  I absolutely  Couldn?t care less what happens here.

[Pigskin]

Did he practise today?

He can not practice. He can't even watch practice or be around the team.

[Tiger]

Lots of speculation here. I think we should wait and see what happens.  

First while many people have many different views, all the political parties, both provincial and federal have upped penalties and consequences of crimes. Defences have also been removed.  It is a very hot political issue.  So regardless of one?s views the law is the law.  

Second the last amendment to the criminal drive impaired laws have made it so that you can be deported on first offence.  I believe Lawlers charge was before this change.  I understand this is unlikely but possible.

Third we do not know what happened nor why.  It could be benign or serious.

Fourth it is different if this happened in the US or Canada, or, if he was sentenced or not in relation to the charge.  

Fifth 3-4 weeks is not long in the legal system.  In fact things have been delayed because of COVID and 6-12 months for a trial is not unheard of.

Sixth clearly the bombers knew he was charged but perhaps not the status or perhaps things changed.

Again we are speculating and will have to wait and see.  Agudosi gets an opportunity and hopefully he does well. At this point there is no other option.

[blue_gold_84]

It's only different in that it happened in Canada - easy for the authorities to lay the most applicable charges. When criminal offenses are committed outside of the country, they're equated by immigration officials to the most similar law in the Canada Criminal Code.

There are nowhere near enough details provided to really have a clue what's going on with this situation.

It's just very unfortunate is weren't dotted and ts weren't crossed and some oversight has been able to fester for nearly two years, resulting in the suspension of arguably the biggest signing in free agency for this team.

It is what it is.

[theaardvark]

If the Bombers knew it was outstanding when they signed him, and that it was settled in April, then they should have known to have his immigration status updated.

If Kenny did not relate the status of the case and when it was settled, and that he had not taken the necessary steps with immigration, then it is all on him, an expensive lesson. 

Maybe the CFLPA needs to make a handout "If you are charged in Canada with an offence", and give players guidance.  That's what a PA is for.

Not sure the time off will be a bad thing, for the team (SMS) or for Kenny (rehab/healing).   

[TecnoGenius]

Maybe the CFLPA needs to make a handout "If you are charged in Canada with an offence", and give players guidance.  That's what a PA is for.

How about give them all a handout "don't do illegal poop in the first place".  This isn't rocket science.  There are too many sports players that don't think before acting.  They have a spotlight on them and need to set an example.

This whole Kenny thing is stupid.  It hurts us fans, the league, and Kenny himself.  No one is winning here.  Well, except the lawyers and the courts, I guess.

[Pigskin]

That was a quick 4 weeks. No good news on Lawler.