HUNTER IN RUSH TO JAB ESKIES
B.C. Lions director of player personnel Torey Hunter used fake Twitter account to criticize Edmonton Eskimos
The director of player personnel and player development for the B.C. Lions is serving a 90-day club suspension for using a social media account to attack the Edmonton Eskimos.
Torey Hunter, a one-time scout with the Alberta team, according to the B.C. Lions media guide, had directed criticism toward his former club through an anonymous Twitter account.
The Esks grew suspicious last spring when Hunter’s anonymous account began tweeting information that contradicted formal Eskimos statements and that revealed insider information, according to TSN.
The CFL investigated at the Eskimos’ behest, and as the 2018 regular season wound down, the league informed the Lions that the Twitter account belonged to Hunter.
“We can confirm that Torey Hunter was suspended by the B.C. Lions football club for violation of both the Lions’ and the CFL’s social media policy,” Rick LeLacheur, who as president of the Lions suspended Hunter in November, said in a statement.
“While we encourage the use of social media channels by all members of our organization, we also strive to make very clear that the use of these channels must be done in a positive manner, respectful of our member clubs and the league as a whole.
“We will have no further comment on the matter.”
The suspension ends Jan. 31.
Hunter, a one-time defensive back in the CFL with Edmonton and Montreal, had been a regional scout for the Esks for four years and moved to the Lions when ex-Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey took the GM job with the Leos in 2017.
“I was very disappointed when I found out it was Torey,” Hervey told TSN. “I think this was very petty on both sides and something I would have preferred got handled with a phone call instead of an investigation and suspension.
“But as far as I’m concerned, it’s over, and the B.C. Lions are moving forward.”
A Lions spokesman said Hervey would have no further comment. According to TSN, the league determined he had no part in Hunter’s scheme.
When Hunter was hired, Hervey said, “he understands the kind of unique talent we need to be successful in the CFL and I’m confident he will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we begin the process of building our team.”
The Eskimos and the CFL both declined to comment.
The Lions did not make Hunter available for comment.