Canadian football life is turbulent and full of surprises. This time, football fans finally discovered news about the near future that awaits the Elks team. It also became known about the honouring of Abrose’s outstanding work and his inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Of course, it was not without excesses. The Canadian football community was shocked by the news about the results of the investigation of Sean Lennon and his bets on his team.
The Future of the Elks in 2024
According to a recent interview with Eugene Lewis, he can’t wait to start earning the trust of quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. If you follow the life of Canadian football, then you know that Bethel-Thompson signed a contract with Edmonton. Bethel-Thompson is considered one of the top and most promising players. He can boast two Gray Cups.
This contract could rightly be called Edmonton’s biggest decision of the offseason. Perhaps this will change a rather unpleasant situation for the team. As you know, the Elks’s team has serious problems trying to climb out of last place in the Western Division standings for three years in a row. According to Lewis, he knows what a great defender can do.
As you know, the team last entered the playoffs in 2019. Since then, it has only won 11 regular-season games. For a change, Chris Jones (Elks head coach) also acquired Canadian wide receiver Curley Gittens Jr. This decision was made based on the player’s performance.
In 2022, Gittens had 81 catches for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns. But after he was injured last year, he was only allowed to play in 10 games. As for additional contracts, it is worth noting the invitation of the American defenders Jake Seresna, Borys Bede, and Javon Leek. If you follow Canadian football, you know that Leake was the CFL’s special teams player last season.
Of course, Bethel-Thompson himself can become the main star. He is a powerful player who stands six-foot-four and weighs 220 pounds. He spent all of last year with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers. In 2022, he managed to throw for 4,731 yards in the league/career. Thus, he went to the rate of 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Randy Ambrose and the Hall of Fame Gridiron Greats
It has recently become known that the legendary Ambrose will join the Hall of Fame already this summer (approximately June 7). The ceremony will be held in Chicago, where Steve Largent and Emery Moorhead will join Ambrose.
Gridiron Greats is an organization established by Jerry Kramer. The organization provides financial grants for NFL players, supports retired players and provides them with free medical care if needed. As it became known, the CFL Alumni Association actively communicates and cooperates with Gridiron Greats.
61-year-old Ambrose has served as CFL commissioner for seven years (since 2017). He played nine powerful league seasons as a forward for the Calgary Stampeders. It is important to mention that Ambrose is not the first CFL official to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Among other legendary figures who joined him are Angelo Mosca, Peter Dalla Riva, George Reed, and others.
Sean Lemon and the Betting Problem
It became known that the CFL had indefinitely suspended Sean Lemon, which caused a wave of indignation among fans. This has already been reflected in the team’s ratings. If we take Canadian bookmaker GGBet as an example, then Calgary Stampeders’s fans have already influenced the odds for the upcoming games.
The legendary defensive lineman was suspended from Wednesday’s game for betting on league games he was involved in. This was preceded by a CFL investigation that had been going on since 2021. Based on the published study results, there is no clear evidence that Sean’s bets affected the outcome of the games. Experts noted that the team’s coach, other players, and team personnel were unaware of Lemon’s actions.
It was quite a significant blow to the player’s reputation. Lemon is a well-known player and a three-time winner of the Gray Cup. However, he is currently retired, and this decision was announced four months after he had signed a contract with Montreal. According to CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, the integrity of the game is a priority. All other things are irrelevant when the legitimacy of the CFL is in question.
Randy Ambrosi is responsible for investigating and resolving such problems. He also added that it is a collective responsibility, along with other teams and players. All must ensure conditions under which rates could in no way affect the quality or status of the CFL.
