While Marino was handed the longest suspension ever handed down by the CFL, Masoli released a statement calling out the league for its handling of the situation.
The league handed Marino three separate suspensions, totaling four games, for his actions during Saskatchewan’s win over Ottawa. That included a two-game suspension for Marino’s hit on Masoli, a one-game suspension for a verbal comment about Masoli’s legacy and an illegal tackle on an earlier play in the game.
Marino was ejected from the game after his hit on Masoli. The Ottawa quarterback had to be carted off the field and was later ruled out for 10-12 weeks due to bone surgery in his foot.
In his statement, Masoli said he has not received an apology from Marino, or anyone from the Roughriders.
“I have seen the poor and uninformed excuses given by the Saskatchewan head coach and no apology from Garrett Marino, Coach Dickenson or any Saskatchewan executive,” Masoli said. After playing 12 games and already with one previous suspension and two fines before this incident, it’s clear that Garrett Marino can’t control himself.
“The welfare and safety of CFL players matter and we shouldn’t worry about those who can’t consistently play by the rules. It’s an unacceptable pattern of behavior in addition to the disturbing way he celebrated as I was down shows how proud it’s about his dirty ways.”
Masoli also criticized the league for its handling of racial slurs directed at him and comments made by Craig Dickenson. The Roughriders coach said he doesn’t think Garrett should have received a suspension for the comments he made to Masoli.
“That might be a little bit of a stretch,” Dickenson told reporters after practice Tuesday. “I’ll let the league figure it out. I will let the player talk to the (CFL Players’ Association) and decide if he wants to appeal that part of the suspension. It is up to him to do what he wants to do. We support him if he wants to do it and we support him if he wants to accept it.
“I don’t think Garrett is racist. I know Garrett personally. I know how much he has grown in the last year. We’re not going to turn our backs on a guy who has shown so much growth in a short period of time.”
Masoli believes that since the comments made by Marino have been investigated and confirmed, they should not be tolerated on and off the pitch.
“It’s sad that hate and racist behavior and racial slurs will be punished with a slap on the wrist,” Masoli explained. “A game about racial slurs just isn’t enough in my opinion and I hope we can use it to promote growth and change for the better. We need to protect the integrity of the game.”
Earlier in the day, Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros came to Masoli’s defense, calling the play dirty and embarrassing for the league.
“I love Jeremiah. He’s been a teammate of mine for quite some time, he’s someone I respect a lot not only as a player but also as a person, as a father, as a husband. I learned a lot from being around him, so for something that dirty to happen and for him to lose games I think is ridiculous and embarrassing for the league,” Kolaros told reporters after practice on Tuesday.
“When you suspend somebody or take any kind of punishment and then your own union comes and defends that person, as a quarterback, it’s kind of a weird point for us. Especially this season when you’ve been asked to lead the strike, so it’ll be interesting to see how that all plays out.”
