Butler lashes out at Argos for not allowing him to pursue NFL opportunities

TORONTO Another member of the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts has criticized the CFL team for not allowing him to pursue NFL opportunities this off-season.

On Friday, defensive lineman Victor Butler wrote in a bylined story to 3DownNation, a website covering all Canadian football, the Argos are going back on a gentleman’s agreement to let him out of his CFL deal to return to the NFL. The story’s headline is: The Argonauts are holding me hostage.

Earlier this week, running back James Wilder Jr. announced he was sitting out the ‘18 season after Toronto wouldn’t allow him to pursue opportunities south of the border. Wilder has one year remaining on his CFL contract.

Butler said he signed a one-year deal, plus a team option, with Toronto last February but with the understanding following the ‘17 season he’d be allowed to pursue NFL opportunities. If unsuccessful, then he’d return to rejoin the Argos.

But shortly after Butler signed, Toronto hired Jim Popp as its GM and Marc Trestman as head coach. According to Butler, Popp has given him two choices: Play for the Argos or retire.

“Because to them, I am not a person, my family doesn’t matter and our happiness and well-being are the furthest thing from their mind,” Butler said. “I am a pawn in their game, one where I am expected to shut my mouth know my role and be grateful for whatever scraps they throw me.”