Photo: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography / 3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Wynton McManis was ejected from their Week 8 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.
The 31-year-old was assessed a rough-play disqualification with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, following a 21-yard run by Travis Theis. Montreal centre Cyrille Hogan-Saindon continued to block McManis through the echo of the whistle and ended up on the ground. The two-time All-CFL approached the blocker, stood over him, then appeared to make a small kicking motion towards Hogan-Saindon’s neck and shoulders.
After the game, Hogan-Saindon told 3DownNation that he was unsure what had happened until he watched the replay.
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“I drove him like 15 yards, so he was mad. I heard him say something to me, but I didn’t feel the kick or anything. I only saw it on the clip,” he said. “I just play football, and I don’t do extra sh** after the whistle.”
A 25-yard penalty was called on McManis, which moved the Alouettes to the one-yard line. Terry Wilson scored a touchdown on the next play.
Montreal head coach Jason Maas indicated post-game that he had not seen the kick, but that he felt McManis’ removal was unfortunate for all involved.
“What I tell our players is: ‘Nothing they say, nothing they do.’ I know it was probably reactionary to something, not that we did anything wrong, but he may have perceived it that way,” Maas said. “It’s unfortunate. I don’t like to see anybody in our league kicked out, particularly a player of his stature and what he means to their team. But rules are rules, and obviously they ruled on that, and you’ve just got to live with it.”
McManis was credited with four defensive tackles prior to his ejection. He has recorded 15 tackles and an interception since joining Hamilton in free agency.
The standout defender has played 104 regular-season CFL games over seven seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts. He has recorded 405 defensive tackles, 52 special teams tackles, 16 sacks, 10 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three touchdowns, earning two All-CFL selections and winning three Grey Cups.
The Tiger-Cats had the lead at the time of McManis’ ejection, but ultimately fell 31-18 in Montreal.
Editor’s note: This article was assembled using key files obtained by 3DownNation contributor Pablo Herrera-Vergara.
