Redblacks’ Rose may have the lack of time on his side in appealing suspension
EDMONTON — Jonathan Rose is preparing to play in the Grey
Cup, uncertain when he’ll know for sure if he will or not.
On Tuesday, the Ottawa cornerback received a one-game suspension from the Canadian Football League for his actions during the Redblacks’ 46-27 East Division final win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Rose became embroiled in an off-field melee in the first half and was ejected for shoving an official.
Shortly after the suspension was announced, it was appealed by the CFL Players’ Association. A CFL source told The Canadian Press it’s unlikely an arbitrator will be able to hear the case and make a decision before kickoff Sunday.
And if that happens, Rose will be eligible to play when Ottawa takes on the Calgary Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium.
On Wednesday, Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell told reporters he expected Rose to play in Sunday’s game. That’s also Rose’s expectation, although he doesn’t figure on knowing for sure until Friday at the earliest, and quite possibly as late as game day.
“I’m expecting to play,” Rose said. “Just waiting until everything plays itself out.
“I’m trying to not speak too far in advance, I’m just going to wait until everything is set in stone.”
The six-foot-one, 190-pound Rose was an East Division allstar this year after finishing the regular season tied for the CFL interceptions lead with five. The 25-year-old native of Leeds, Ala., has appeared in 50 games over three seasons with Ottawa and was a member of the Redblacks’ Grey Cup-winning squad in 2016.
Before being ejected on Sunday, Rose had a 59-yard interception return that set up an Ottawa touchdown.
Rose said he’s addressed the incident with his teammates.
“I just told them I didn’t want to be a distraction and I’d never do anything to jeopardize this team’s success,” he said.
“I just wanted them to know that it wasn’t anything personal or anything I wanted to do intentionally.”
Rose admitted there was plenty going on during the incident but won’t offer specific details “until everything is set in stone and everybody has their thoughts figured out.”
“At the same time I feel like we’ve got a good understanding between me, the commissioner and the CFLPA,” he said. “So hopefully these guys can get it worked out.”
Rose said he hasn’t yet spoken to the official involved, but he would like to.
“After all of this has concluded I’d like to speak to him and let him know how I feel about the situation,” Rose said.