The Canadian Football League will add an extra official to the field for the rest of the playoffs to watch for any blows delivered to the head or neck of a quarterback.
The development comes after Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Brandon Bridge was hit late in the fourth quarter of last weekendB次元官网网址檚 West semifinal loss to Winnipeg. Bridge was rocked by a helmet-to-helmet hit from Jackson Jeffcoat, who was not penalized as the head refereeB次元官网网址檚 view was blocked on the play.
If the extra official sees an illegal blow that has not already been flagged, they will advise the head referee, who can then assess a penalty for roughing the passer, the league said Thursday.
B次元官网网址淚t is very important that this sort of potentially dangerous play is penalized on the field in addition to being subject to supplementary discipline,B次元官网网址� CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. B次元官网网址漀ot only is it important to the integrity of the game, it can act as a deterrent. That is why we are adding an additional set of eyes, with a strictly limited but well-defined mandate, to our officiating crew.
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B次元官网网址淣o system is fail-safe and no human is incapable of error. And nothing we do on player safety should be held up as the ultimate solution. Our approach must constantly evolve. But we believe this is a step forward. We will continue to look for ways to not only penalize dangerous play but, more importantly, prevent it.B次元官网网址�
At a team availability on Tuesday, Bridge said that he underwent concussion testing following the hit, but was feeling better and could have played this weekend if the Roughriders had won.
The Blue Bombers will visit the Calgary Stampeders in the West final on Sunday while the Ottawa Redblacks will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the East crown.
The extra official will have no other responsibilities and cannot suggest or call a penalty for other infractions. The league said it will discuss the change in the off-season with the Canadian Football League PlayersB次元官网网址� Association and the leagueB次元官网网址檚 rules committee, officials and governors.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 like to think that the recent attention given to player safety can prompt a change for the better,B次元官网网址� said CFLPA executive director Brian Ramsay. B次元官网网址滺owever, itB次元官网网址檚 what is not being talked about that concerns our members. If the league and team management were really serious about improving player safety, they would agree with our long-held complaint that the leagueB次元官网网址檚 11-person rules committee has only one player representative. The other 10 are all appointed by league management.
B次元官网网址淭hat committee should and does have the power to set the rules and standards that have a direct impact on player safety. Moreover, players should have an equal voice on that committee. Currently, that isnB次元官网网址檛 happening, which only raises questions in our minds about the real priority given to player safety.B次元官网网址�
The Grey Cup is set for Nov. 25 at Edmonton.
The Canadian Press
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