\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"RUTH](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3507118_web1_230711-Bomber-35-Houston.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Demerio Houston last played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels great to be back,\u201d Houston said. \u201cI\u2019m just happy to get another opportunity and be back with the team that gave me my first opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houston\u2019s departure from Calgary came after a public report that he was facing a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in North Carolina, stemming from an alleged incident in November where he was accused of hitting his wife with a suitcase. The report from the issuing magistrate noted a history of domestic violence, a claim Houston publicly denied.<\/p>\n
Shortly after charges were laid, Houston admitted in an Instagram post to putting his family through an emotional and mental roller-coaster but claimed he has never physically harmed his family. The charges were dismissed in March, and Houston said they were on the verge of being expunged from his record.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, like I said, at the end of the day, I\u2019m just trying to move forward and just try to take advantage of my second opportunity,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
When pressed on what he has done to be a better man and learn from the situation, Houston confirmed he underwent mandatory steps from the CFL.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust be there for my family,\u201d he said. \u201cHad some requirements through the CFL that I had to go through, and everything\u2019s completed and done with. And, like I said, I\u2019m grateful to just have another opportunity. Just going to play football.\u201d<\/p>\n
He later clarified that the requirements included counselling and a therapist, indicating the league\u2019s gender-based violence policy \u2014 which focuses on rehabilitation and education \u2014 was put into practice. He confirmed the league was in communication with him before and after his release from the Stampeders, conducting an investigation to ensure he was cleared to play again.<\/p>\n
Clubs were notified in the off-season that the CFL would register a contract provided the conditions were met.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything\u2019s clear. I\u2019m just here to play ball,\u201d Houston repeated.<\/p>\n
For the Bombers, the decision to sign Houston was a matter of trusting the league\u2019s process. Head coach Mike O\u2019Shea, a man who has cultivated a culture of integrity and family within the organization, said the team had conversations with the player but did not conduct a formal investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had him here before, he\u2019s been good for us,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cHe\u2019s done very well in this league and he\u2019s available. So, bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move to bring Houston back is a logical one from a football perspective. In his first three seasons with Winnipeg, he played in 30 games and recorded 84 defensive tackles and nine interceptions.<\/p>\n
He was a member of the Bombers Grey Cup team in 2021 and earned CFL All-Star honours in 2023 after leading the league with seven interceptions. He also had a productive season with the Stampeders last year, registering 74 tackles and five interceptions in 15 games.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shea made it clear that, while need might have played a factor as the Bombers have had their share of injuries in the secondary, it would never trump integrity. Instead, he pointed to the league\u2019s comprehensive investigation as the key determining factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would always be concerned about being in the community and making sure that we\u2019re good citizens of the community,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cBut also, in this organization, we deal with humans and we also deal with humans that make mistakes and work hard to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
A league spokesperson shed further light on the process, confirming that \u201cupon learning of the situation, the CFL initiated a third-party investigation; the findings of which determined that Mr. Houston had violated the CFL\u2019s Gender-Based Violence Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The league also contacted the victim and offered support throughout the process, marking a critical part of the league\u2019s policy and path to redemption. As part of the resolution, Houston was required to complete a minimum number of counselling sessions with a gender-based violence expert and is subject to ongoing monitoring.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shea affirmed his confidence in the process, despite admitting he doesn\u2019t know the specifics of the league\u2019s investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our scouting department likes a guy and there\u2019s been something in the past, we submit it to the league. And they say \u2018yay\u2019 or \u2018nay,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cAs far as we\u2019re concerned, everything was dropped. And the league probably went further than that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t<\/p>\n
The conversation around Houston\u2019s return also extends into the locker room, where his presence appears to be a welcome one. Veteran defensive end Willie Jefferson, a cornerstone of the team\u2019s culture and a four-time CFL All-Star, expressed support for his teammate.<\/p>\n
\u201cDemerio is a good guy. We love him like he\u2019s one of our own; he is one of our own,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cBut at the same time, you got to handle your business. On the field, off the field, you\u2019re part of an organization and you have to take care of your business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jefferson acknowledged the team\u2019s role in helping Houston navigate his second chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the side of things we can help him with,\u201d he said. \u201cWe know who Demerio is, we know who his wife is and his kids. With him coming back here, being with us, we\u2019re going to love on him and his family and not down talk him or wag our fingers at him. We\u2019re going to bring him in, love him and try to push him in the right direction. You got to make the best of your opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Jeff Hamilton Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University\u2019s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Multimedia producer
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n