Shawn Lemon, a three-time Grey Cup champion, was indefinitely suspended by the Canadian Football League (CFL) on Wednesday for betting on league games, including one he played in. The league’s investigation showed that Lemon bet on games in 2021 while with the Calgary Stampeders. The CFL clarified that there was no evidence to suggest that any games were affected by Lemon’s wagering. Additionally, the league stated that no Calgary coaches, teammates, or personnel were aware of Lemon’s actions.
Lemon retired on April 10 after a 13-season career in Canada. His retirement came roughly four months after he signed a one-year extension with Montreal.
“The integrity of our game is of the utmost importance,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. “Any other factors — career performance, actions in the community, timing, frequency, or size of wagers — hold no weight when the legitimacy of the CFL can be called into question.”
“It is our responsibility as a league to investigate and address such abnormalities, and it is our collective duty, along with our teams and players, to ensure that sports wagering in no way impacts the quality nor standing of the CFL. We will continue to work with our authorized gaming operators, partners, and stakeholders to hold our game to the highest standard.”
Lemon, 35, helped Montreal defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in last year’s Grey Cup. The Alouettes went 12-4, including the playoffs, after signing Lemon, who had 26 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 13 regular-season games. Lemon also earned his 100th CFL sack last season.
The Alouettes released a statement saying they were made aware of the CFL’s investigation and fully support the league’s rules on gambling. As a result of the investigation and the league’s ruling, they have also suspended Lemon indefinitely.
The CFL’s release did not specify where the bets were placed. Single-game betting became legal in Canada in 2021. Lemon is the third Canadian-based athlete to be suspended or banned by a major sports league since the legalization. Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto was suspended for the first half of the 2023-24 season by the NHL for an undisclosed gambling infraction. Former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned by the NBA earlier this month after a league investigation found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, limited his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and bet on NBA games.
Lemon began his pro career with Winnipeg as a practice-roster player in 2011 and spent time with every CFL team except Hamilton. He also won Grey Cups with Calgary (2014) and Toronto (2017).
The Calgary Stampeder Football Club released a statement expressing surprise and disappointment over the revelations of the CFL’s investigation. The Stampeders fully support the CFL’s policy on gambling and condemn Lemon’s actions. The club echoes Commissioner Ambrosie’s comments about preserving the integrity of the sport and the league.
The six-foot-two, 242-pound Lemon registered 237 tackles and 101 sacks in 237 career regular-season games. He also had three interceptions, forced 30 fumbles, and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Lemon was a CFL all-star in 2022 when he had 14 sacks with Calgary, tying his career-best recorded in 2016 over 16 contests with Toronto. He was named the West Division’s top defensive player that season.
