Riders say Smith out of lineup
HIV-positive man on disabled list CFL president agrees with move
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have dealt with the Trevis Smith situation — for now, anyway.
Smith, head coach Danny Barrett and general manager Roy Shivers came to a “ mutual understanding” that the veteran linebacker will remain on the team’s disabled list and therefore miss Sunday’s East semifinal game against the Montreal Alouettes. Smith was charged by the RCMP for allegedly having unprotected sex with a woman who didn’t know he is HIV- positive. After being released on bail, Smith told his lawyer he wants to play football. But his coach wasn’t saying that yesterday. “ He is still dealing with the situation and spending time with his family and so we move forward from there and he will remain there until further notice,” Barrett told reporters in Saskatchewan.
Barrett, Shivers and Smith met before yesterday’s practice. “ We sat down . . . and made the decision collectively and everybody is in agreement with it,” Barrett said. But what happens with Smith if the Roughriders win Sunday’s game? “ Then we’ll deal with this all over again next week,” a team spokesperson said. John McClelland, a retired U of T professor of sports history, believes the team’s decision to keep Smith out of Sunday’s game is motivated more by optics than anything else.
“ The team’s whole concern is one of public relations. They are trying to present themselves as clean- cut,” McClelland said, referring to the communityowned and community-minded nature of the club. The fact Smith faces criminal charges relating to HIV make things “ difficult for the team,” McClelland said. CFL commissioner Tom Wright has been in constant contact with the Saskatchewan team regarding the Smith case and yesterday’s decision was made in consultation with him.
“ In my conversations with the Riders, I wanted to make sure they were going to make the most responsible decision keeping in mind the best interests of their ballclub,” Wright said.
Wright said that the Smith case has raised public awareness about HIV. The case prompted the Canadian Public Health Association to offer packages to all nine CFL teams containing information about HIV and AIDS.