Banks hit with two-game drug penalty
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be without star receiver/kick returner Brandon Banks for their crucial rematch Friday night with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Banks drew a two-game suspension on Wednesday for violating the CFL’s drug policy. According to the league, Banks tested positive for MDA, a hallucinogenic drug related to ecstasy.
“I would like to apologize to my coaches, teammates, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats organization, and our great and loyal fans for putting myself in this situation,” Banks said in a statement. “It’s my responsibility to know what’s on the banned substance list and there is no excuse for my violation of the rules.
“My mistake has not only hurt my team, but my family and friends, and for that I am extremely sorry. I will work very hard over the next two weeks to prepare myself both mentally and physically to return to the field and contribute to bringing a Grey Cup championship back to the city of Hamilton.”
Banks was the CFL’s top special- teams player last year after returning four punts for TDs, one short of the single-season record.
A suspended player can’t participate in games, but the club decides if he can take part in practices and meetings.
Banks is the third player suspended this season for a positive drug test:
Defensive tackle Quinn Smith of the Calgary Stampeders was slapped with a three-game ban after testing positive for the anabolic steroid methandienone. It marked the sec- ond time Smith had tested positive in his football career.
Bruce Johnson, a defensive back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, received a two-game suspension, also for MDA.
Ticats head coach Kent Austin said Banks addressed the matter with his teammates. Austin reiterated the franchise’s support for him.
“To say I’m not disappointed is probably not the truth,” Austin told reporters in Hamilton. “But I know he’s been disappointed in me, too, so that’s the way relationships are.
“Brandon knows that I love him and we’re supportive. He made a mistake. We need to get better, make better decisions in the future. It impacts himself personally, it impacts the football team and it impacts everybody around him. You can say no as easily as you can say yes, and we trust that we’ll be better decisionmakers in the future.”
The loss of Banks is big for the 6-9 Tiger-Cats, who are chasing firstplace Ottawa (7-7-1) in the East standings. Banks will also miss the Ticats’ home game against Edmonton on Oct. 28.