The B.C. Lions release Josh Hagerty after reviewing his conduct

The B.C. Lions released defensive back Josh Hagerty on Tuesday after a two-week review of the circumstances surrounding his CFL suspension. Hagerty received a two-game suspension after striking Montreal Alouettes running back Liam Talbot twice in the groin. Talbot’s season ended, and he underwent emergency surgery for an injury described as “life-altering.” Some people around the CFL, particularly within the Alouettes organization, said the suspension did not match the severity of the incident. “No, it’s definitely not enough,” Alouettes defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund said, adding that people had called him to say the same. He said the team had to move forward.

The Lions initially said they would not impose further discipline or remove Hagerty from the roster. General manager Ryan Rigmaiden said at the time that Hagerty was the last person he would have expected to do something like this, and that the club believed he could move forward. After Hagerty served his suspension, Rigmaiden changed course. The club said it met with Hagerty and his representatives to discuss the incident, the factors leading to it and the potential consequences of his conduct. The Lions also made professional support available during his suspension. The club said his actions were inconsistent with the standards expected of a B.C. Lion and that releasing him was in the organization’s best interests.

The Alouettes have alleged that the incident was not isolated. Montreal special teams co-ordinator Byron Archambault said video showed a player being hit in the groin on punt returns in two consecutive games against the same team and unit. He called the conduct dangerous and not a football play. A video clip from 3DownNation appeared to show Lions linebacker Maxime Rouyer striking Alouettes fullback Régis Cibasu in the groin area.

In response, the Lions said the team takes pride in playing within the rules. The club said CFL statistics showed it was the league’s least penalized team entering that week, and called the suggestion that it encourages or condones such plays unequivocally false.