CFL lays down the law with fines for trio over controversial QB hits

The CFL has handed out three disciplinary fines following Week 1, with all punishments stemming from high hits on opposing quarterbacks.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Jaiden Woodbey received the maximum allowable fine after delivering a high hit on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. during the second quarter of their clash. The incident, which occurred near the Winnipeg end zone, resulted in a grade two unnecessary roughness penalty — a 25-yard sanction that carries the risk of disqualification if multiple infractions are committed in the same game.

Woodbey, who registered four tackles before leaving the contest with a calf injury, has since been placed on the six-game injured list.

Elsewhere, Ottawa Redblacks linebacker C.J. Reavis and Edmonton Elks linebacker Joel Dublanko were also fined for separate incidents involving high contact on sliding quarterbacks. Reavis was punished for a hit on Edmonton signal-caller Cody Fajardo, while Dublanko was sanctioned after striking Ottawa quarterback Jake Maier. Both plays were flagged as roughing the passer offences and occurred within a quarter of each other.

League discipline is overseen by the CFL’s department of health, safety, and integrity, which reviews incidents involving player conduct. While the CFL confirmed the fines, the league does not publicly disclose the exact financial amounts, with the collective bargaining agreement capping maximum fines at half the value of a player’s game cheque.

The punishments underline the CFL’s continued emphasis on quarterback safety as the new season gets underway.