Redblacks snapper Bourassa banned for doping violation

Suddenly, the addition of long-snapper Mike Benson, who was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks earlier this week, makes a lot of sense.

The CFL announced Tuesday Redblacks long-snapper Louis-philippe Bourassa has been suspended two games after testing positive for the banned substances ibutamoren, metabolites D and L-methamphetamine and metabolites D and L-amphetamine under the drug policy of the CFL and the CFLPA.

For their part, the Redblacks are taking Bourassa at his word that it was an accident.

“The Ottawa Redblacks accept the suspension imposed on player Louis-philippe Bourassa for a positive banned substance test,” said a statement from the team Tuesday. “We understand this was the result of a substance found in an overthe-counter product, with the player unaware that it contained the banned substance.”

In its explanation of the suspension, the league said: “CFL players who test positive face a two-game suspension for a first doping violation, a nine-game suspension for a second violation, a one-year suspension for a third violation and a lifetime ban for a fourth violation. Under the policy, a suspended player cannot participate in regular-season or post-season games. It is up to the club to determine whether that player can participate in other team activities, such as training camp, practices and meetings. All players will be subject to mandatory drug testing once testing positive, and will participate in an assessment and clinical evaluation to determine if they need additional counselling.”

Random league testing is ongoing and conducted year round. A year ago, Redblacks receiver Seth Coate was suspended two games after testing positive for a banned substance, SARM LGD-4033 metabolite.

For the last couple of days, Benson has been doing most of the long snaps in preparation for Thursday’s home game against the Calgary Stampeders.

The 32-year-old has played in the CFL for six seasons — five with B.C. and one with Edmonton. The Lions released him at the end of April.

Jean levac Redblacks long-snapper Louis-philippe Bourassa was suspended for two games after testing positive for several banned substances. The Redblacks said the substances were found in an over-the-counter product.