TORONTO — The Canadian Football League in consultation with the CFL Medical Committee will introduce several health and safety measures this season.

“Our players are our game’s greatest ambassadors, both on and off the field,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “We must continue to explore new equipment, technology and best practices to help ensure they are physically and emotionally able to have long and successful careers.

“As athletes evolve through better nutrition, training regimens and a clearer understanding of the human body, so too will our game. As a league, we must embrace that evolution and work with our players to create an exciting and competitive, but safe, football environment.”

The new measures are slated to be put in place during CFL Training Camps.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES

Offensive and defensive linemen, running backs and linebackers will wear Guardian Caps this season, with other positions having optional use (Argonauts.ca)

Guardian caps

​For the 2023 season, the CFL has mandated use of the Guardian Cap by offensive and defensive linemen, running backs and linebackers during CFL Training Camps, as well as all contact practices during the regular season. Players at other positions may choose to wear the product, but they are not mandated to do so.

The Guardian Cap is a padded shell affixed to the outside of the helmet. Research has shown that when worn by one player, the Guardian Cap reduces the severity of impact by at least a 10 per cent reduction, and by at least 20 per cent when worn by both players.

Medical tents

​Beginning this season, clubs will have collapsible tents on the bench that will be used for medical assessments and/or examinations. The tents create a distraction-free environment to help ensure examinations are carried out thoroughly, while also providing privacy for players.

Tents will be visible on both benches at each game and will only be raised when needed.

Pre-game Medical Meeting

​The league has made enhancements to the pregame medical meeting. In addition to medical personnel, the pre-game meeting has been expanded to include representation from key stakeholders, including but not limited to, security, and staff from the venue operations and game presentation departments.

In the event of a medical emergency, the personnel team will be well-aligned as they expedite care for affected individual(s).

Medical Staff training

​In addition to the training required to satisfy professional requirements, staff from all nine clubs gathered in the off-season to complete additional advanced professional development courses including, but not limited to:

• Emergency Medical Response – Sport training.
• In-air Emergency Preparedness Training – triaging and managing emergency scenarios with limited equipment while flying.

Additionally, staff working with players in strength and conditioning or physical performance capacities must now hold the certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) designation offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Research

​The league is involved in several ongoing and upcoming scientific research studies with Dalhousie University, Concordia University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, University of Alberta, University of Victoria and The University of British Columbia. Studies range in topics from the effective use of various equipment and technologies in the prevention and rehabilitation of injury, to injury surveillance and correlation analyses with performance optimization.

TORONTO — The CFL Board of Governors have unanimously approved a set of rule changes proposed by the league’s Rules Committee as teams continue preparations for the upcoming season.

The 2023 updates to the rule book follow the substantive rule changes introduced last season that resulted from the CFL’s extensive product review.

“Last season’s changes yielded positive results across several key metrics,” said associate vice-president of officiating, Darren Hackwood.

“The changes being introduced this year are focused on fine-tuning the rules from a health and safety perspective and to refine certain nuances in the game. These updates will build upon last season’s changes as the league and the Rules Committee continue to measure the impacts of the 2022 product review.”

CFL rookie camps open on May 10, followed by training camp on May 14. The season kicks off on Thursday, June 8 with the BC Lions traveling to Calgary to take on the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. The season will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton with the 110th Grey Cup.

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2023 RATIFIED RULE CHANGES

The requirement for the ball to be touched prior to ruling a rouge on a kickoff has been removed.

• This change aligns the rouge rule on kickoffs with all other types of kick plays.

A safety has been added to the options for holding in the team’s own goal area.

• When a team commits a holding foul in their own goal area while in possession of the ball in their goal area, a safety has been added to the options available to the other team.

The defensive formation has been restricted on kick plays.

• The number of players within two yards of the line of scrimmage on either side of the long snapper has been restricted to a maximum of six players at the snap.
• This restriction does not apply if the offence lines up in an unbalanced line or if an offensive player moves or motions from their initial position.
• This restriction only applies to field goal and kicked convert attempts.
• This change is in the spirit of player safety to avoid grossly overloading the defensive line on one side of the long snapper.

Avoidable contact with an official

• It shall be illegal for a player, or an authorized member of a team bench area, to make avoidable contact with an official.
• This includes providing a safe workspace by keeping the sidelines clear during play. Officials cannot properly officiate a game if their attention is being diverted to the sidelines in hopes of avoiding collision or injury.
• When an official is contacted by a player, or an authorized member of a team bench area, officials will be permitted to check with the command centre to assist with a judgment as to whether contact was “avoidable” and if so, a 10-yard objectionable conduct penalty will be applied.
• This change will allow the officiating staff to call these actions confidently with command centre help. It will also bring much needed attention to the requirement of providing a safe workspace for officials.
• This change complements and builds upon existing rules regarding contacting officials that may result in ejections.

Move the drive start position up five yards in additional scenarios:

1. Section 5A – If a kicked ball strikes the goal post assembly in flight and when Team B intercepts a ball or recovers a fumble in their own goal area, the next point of scrimmage will be the 30-yard line.
2. Section 5B – Penalty applications with fouls in the goal area will be applied from the 30- or 15-yard line dependent upon the foul.
3. Section 6C – When a penalty or ruling awards possession of the ball to the opponent, the point of possession will move up 5 yards.
4. These changes align the drive start adjustment made in 2022 with other scenarios.

Teams cannot have players wear 0 and 00

Players shall be identified by the following numbering:

• Eligible receivers will wear numbers 0 or 00-49 and 70-99.
• Ineligible receivers will wear numbers 50-69.

Having two players on the same team wearing 0 and 00 creates significant issues with the statistical and scouting systems the teams deploy. This change allows only one player from each team to wear the number 0 or 00.

TORONTO — Nine quarterbacks from across the country are set to hone their skills alongside their professional counterparts as part of the 2023 CFL QB Internship. CFL rookie camps open May 10 with training camps set to kick off May 14.

The program, which welcomed its first class in 2010, provides an opportunity for promising young pivots playing in Canada to develop their skills, participate in practices, attend team and positional meetings with CFL clubs, as they continue their journeys through amateur football.

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Notable past participants include:

• Tre Ford (2018 MTL, 2019 HAM)
• Michael O’Connor (2015 and 2016 BC, 2018 TOR)
• Chris Merchant (2017 CGY, 2018 HAM)
• Hugo Richard (2015 OTT, 2017 MTL)
• Noah Picton (2015 SSK)
• Andrew Buckley (2014 CGY)

CFL QB INTERNSHIP – CLASS OF 2023
​(Team | Name | School | Hometown)

BC | TE JESSIE | WESTSHORE (CJFL) | WINNIPEG

• Last season, played in 10 games and passed for 2,864 yards
• Completed 55.4 per cent of his passes for 28 touchdowns
• Added 290 rushing yards and six scores
• In 2022, named Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive Player, CJFL first-Team All-Canadian and a BCFC All-Star.

EDMONTON | ELI HETLINGER | UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA | EDMONTON

• In his first year, played in five games for the Golden Bears and had 1,396 passing yards
• Nine touchdown passes and three rushing majors
• Surpassed 300-yard passing mark in three of five games
• 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassmen

CALGARY | SILAS FAGNAN | ST. FRANCIS XAVIER | BONNYVILLE, ALTA.

• Led AUS in passing with 1,935 yards, with 59.4 per cent completion rate
• 13 touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and 233 rushing yards
• 2021 AUS Most Outstanding Player (2021) and two-time AUS All-Star (2021, 2022)

SASKATCHEWAN | NOAH PELLETIER | UNIVERSITY OF REGINA| REGINA

• Started all eight Canada West games
• 1,691 passing yards – third most by a UofR player in first season of eligibility
• 55.6 per cent completion rate and 10 touchdown passes

WINNIPEG | ARNAUD DESJARDINS | LAVAL UNIVERSITY | MONTREAL

• 2022 Vanier Cup champion
• Led U SPORTS in passing touchdowns (20) and completion percentage (73.0)
• Six 300+ passing yard games last season
• Second in U SPORTS with 2,555 passing yards
• 2022 First-Team All-Canadian, RSEQ All-Star
• 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassmen

HAMILTON | ALEX VREEKEN | QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY | KINGSTON, ONT.

• Played in 11 games last season with six starts
• 1,337 passing yards, six touchdowns and five rushing scores
• 58.8 per cent completion rate

TORONTO | TAYLOR ELGERSMA | WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY | LONDON, ONT.

• In first full season as starter, finished with 1,786 passing yards in eight games
• Completed 66.2 per cent of passes for 13 touchdowns
• 111 rushing yards and one major

OTTAWA | BEN MARACLE | UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA | TYENDINAGA, ONT.

• 19 regular season starts for the Gee-Gees
• 3,684 career passing yards, with 20 touchdown passes and four rushing majors ​
• In 2022, career-highs in completion rate (59.4 per cent), passing yards (1,411) and touchdown passes (nine)
• Two-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (2021, 2022)
• 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassmen

MONTREAL | JACK ZERGIOTIS | UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA | MONTREAL

• In 2022, transferred to UBC after one season with Merrimack Warriors
• Before Merrimack, played at University of Connecticut (2019, 2021)
• In two seasons with Connecticut, completed 54.3 per cent of passes for 2,107 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games
• At Merrimack, played in five games, completing 49.1 per cent of passes for 667 yards and seven touchdowns

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League is proud to announce the six new participants who will join the league’s Officiating Academy. The program – launched in 2022 with the support of the Canadian Professional Football Officials Association, the Canadian Football Officials Association, Football Canada and the CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA) – operates with a clear and collective focus: to help develop, train and support Canada’s pipeline of officials.

“The development of officials is synonymous with the development of the game,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “Amateur officials working in community recreational leagues help youth develop skills, creating a safe and competitive environment, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

“Proper officiating at the college and junior levels hones players’ knowledge and skills. At the professional level, our officials do an incredible job of managing the game to ensure a fair, exciting and entertaining game inspires fans and viewers across the country. At every level, officials play a critical role. And it is our goal through the Officiating Academy to help more officials perform at the highest level.”

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“Skilled and trained officials allow our members to play exciting and safe CFL football,” added Brian Ramsay, Executive Director of the CFLPA. “These individuals are necessary for the game to exist, and the Officiating Academy is an excellent way to provide high-level training for officials across the country at every level. The program’s success is evident as we have now seen its members regularly on fields across Canada.”

The CFL Officiating Academy is a yearlong program that provides participants with the opportunity to work closely with league staff and officials to deepen their knowledge of officiating, while gaining the experience and skill development needed to progress at the amateur and professional levels.

Participants take part for a maximum of two years. The 2023 cohort will see four returnees continue their officiating journeys through the program. Two 2022 participants have been selected for CFL officiating crews this season – Eric Gyebi will be working the line judge position and Kyle Mikulik has earned a spot as an umpire. Those not selected to join the league’s officiating staff will join the country’s pipeline of active officials helping to oversee the game throughout the country.

This year’s program – beginning at CFL Officiating Training Camp from May 4-7 – includes virtual and in-person sessions to develop the technical aspects of officiating, such as mechanics, standards, fitness, administration and more. The academy also focuses on personal, emotional and mental well-being to prepare participants for the elation and challenges of a career in officiating.

As part of the program, participants may be assigned to a CFL pre-season game, Passing Showcases, CFL Training Camp scrimmages, or placement in support staff positions for CFL games or in the CFL Command Centre.

“We thank our participants for their dedication and passion for officiating and football,” noted Commissioner Ambrosie. “We hope this program is an educational, meaningful and invaluable experience as they continue to learn and grow with our great game.”

2023 CFL OFFICIATING ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS
​(Name | Hometown | Local association | Officiating position | Program status)

• Sharon Airey | Edmonton | Edmonton OA | Umpire | New
• John Paul Chorney | Winnipeg | MFOA | Umpire | New
• Hassan Cohen | Nanaimo, B.C. | BCFOA | Back judge | Returning
• Dan Fleischhaker | Regina | Regina FOA | Side judge | New
• Romeo Kabongo | Airdrie, Alta. | Edmonton OA | Line judge | Returning
• Eric LeBlanc | Dieppe, N.B. | NBFOA | Line judge | New
• Tim Louman-Gardiner | Vancouver | BCFOA | Line judge | New
• Matt Spetter | Edmonton | Edmonton OA | Umpire | New
• Anthony Williams | Dartmouth, N.S. | NSFOA | Side judge | Returning
• Vincent Williams | Halifax | NSFOA | Line judge | Returning

TORONTO — Following an annual audit, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has levied fines against the Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa REDBLACKS, Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers for exceeding the league’s 2022 Salary Expenditure Cap.

As no team exceeded the Salary Expenditure Cap by more than $100,000, the selection order for the 2023 CFL Draft on May 2 remains unaffected.

The Salary Management System’s review process includes a detailed field audit of all nine clubs following the season. Teams are also required to provide regularly scheduled updates on compensation levels at the six-, 12- and 18-game points of the season.

The Salary Expenditure Cap for the upcoming 2023 season has been set at $5.45M.

SALARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – 2023 AUDIT
​(Team | Penalty)

• Montreal | $794
• Ottawa | $11,994
• Toronto | $49,735
• Hamilton | Not applicable
• Winnipeg | $64,499
• Saskatchewan | Not applicable
• Calgary | Not applicable
• Edmonton | Not applicable
• BC | Not applicable

2023 CFL DRAFT – FIRST-ROUND ORDER
​(Current to time of publication)

1. Ottawa
2. Edmonton
3. Saskatchewan
4. Calgary (via Hamilton)
5. Montreal
6. Hamilton (via Calgary)
7. Montreal (via BC)
8. Winnipeg
9. BC (via Toronto)

Free agency officially kicks off on Feb. 11 at noon ET. This year, the ball gets rolling a little earlier than that.

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, a free agency window has been created that will allow pending free agents and teams across the league to communicate prior to the market’s official opening. The window is open for one week, from Feb. 2 at noon ET to Feb. 9 at noon ET.

CFL GMs have discussed and considered the window as an option for a number of years. Its creation is an attempt at curtailing tampering and promoting roster continuity. The NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB all have variations of a free agency window.

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GMs across the league will have a chance to speak with pending free agents before the market opens (Dave Chidley/CFL.ca)

In the window, teams can make formal offers to a pending free agent. Those offers — complete with base salary amount along with any incentives being offered — have to be registered with the league office and the CFL Players Association. Offers submitted are considered binding and can’t be rescinded.

When the window closes, teams will enter an exclusive 48-hour negotiating period with their pending free agents. At the start of that 48-hour period, the league will provide all teams with any of the registered offers their pending free agents received. Teams will have until Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. ET to make an offer to their pending free agents. They’ll have to provide a copy of the offer to the CFL and the CFLPA.

At the end of that 48-hour period, the player will have from 10 a.m. to noon ET on Feb 11 to select any offer made to him from any club. If he chooses one of these offers, the chosen team has to notify the CFL, who will then notify the other eight teams in the league. Conversely, if the player doesn’t accept any of these offers, he’ll enter free agency with any prior offers made from any team withdrawn and no longer available for acceptance.

Once the player enters free agency, the process would unfold as it has in years past. Team offers received in free agency don’t have to be registered with the league or the CFLPA.

To run through a hypothetical, let’s look at Roughriders DB Ed Gainey.

When the window opens on Feb. 2, Gainey will be free to speak with any team in the league about a contract. He and his agent can go back and forth with multiple teams on contract length, salary, incentives, etc. Teams can make a formal offer to him, all of which would have to be registered with the league and the CFLPA.

At the end of the week, he’d have a 48-hour period with the Riders to negotiate. In that time, Saskatchewan would have access to any and all offers made to him by other teams.

After that 48-hour window with the Riders closed, Gainey would have between 10 a.m. and Noon ET on Feb. 11 to make a decision on the offers presented to him. That is the only time in the entire free agency window that a player can accept a team’s offer.

If Gainey didn’t like any of the offers he’d received, he could pass on them and enter into free agency at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Once in free agency, all prior offers are rescinded and he can go back to negotiating with any of the nine teams in the league again and the traditional process would unfold. Offers he’d receive at this point would not have to be registered with the league or the CFLPA. The team he signs with would inform the league and an announcement would be made, the same way it’s worked in previous years of free agency.

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced two fines on Thursday after Week 21 action.

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Dyshawn Davis was fined for a high hit on Edmonton Eskimos defensive back Tyquwan Glass.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Jordan Moore was fined for an inappropriate gesture following the conclusion of play #103 against the Toronto Argonauts.

As per league policy, the amounts of the player fines were not disclosed.

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced two fines after Week 20 action on Thursday.

Edmonton Eskimos defensive back Forrest Hightower was fined for a high hit on Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Naaman Roosevelt.

Montreal Alouettes defensive back Patrick Levels was fined for punching Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl.

The CFL also announced an additional fine from Week 19 action:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat was fined for fined for a high hit on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

As per league policy, the amounts of the player fines were not disclosed.

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced two fines after Week 17 action on Wednesday.

Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Eugene Lewis was fined for a blindside block on Calgary Stampeders defensive back DaShaun Amos.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman Dylan Wynn was fined for a blindside block on Edmonton Eskimos wide receiver Tevaun Smith.

As per league policy, the amounts of the player fines were not disclosed.