Zurkowsky: Shawn Lemon thankful to be back after year-long suspension for gambling
We'll never know whether Shawn Lemon would have been reinstated had Randy Ambrosie remained CFL commissioner. And it's not an area in which he cares to delve into.
But the Alouettes' rush-end has returned — undoubtedly thanks to new commissioner Stewart Johnston — following a year-long suspension for gambling on league games in 2021 when he played for Calgary. And the 36-year-old veteran feels blessed for this second opportunity at a game he has played in Canada since 2011.
'I'm here, and I'm thankful,' Lemon said Sunday following his first practice at Stade Hébert, and days after being re-signed by Montreal for the remainder of this season. 'The past year has been very tough. You're always going to deal with adversity in life. All you can control is the outcome and your outlook on things. Use that time to better yourself as a man ... and wait for the opportunity. I'm ready to move forward.
'I'm a very optimistic guy,' he added. 'As a man in life one thing you're always going to deal with is adversity. How you deal with adversity. How you respond to adversity. It all depends on the person. I'm just thankful to have an opportunity back with this amazing team ... with teammates, coaches and a front office that I love.'
While Lemon has served his penance for the gambling issue, he's in the midst of serving a two-game suspension after testing positive for the banned stimulant phentermine — prescribed as an appetite suppressant. Seeking to bury the past, Lemon wouldn't discuss what prompted him to take the medication.
Lemon signed in time to miss last Thursday's victory against Toronto, but remains ineligible for this Thursday night, when the Alouettes travel to Calgary. He could be activated Aug. 2, when Montreal hosts Saskatchewan.
While Lemon was on the field, starting quarterback Davis Alexander was not. Alexander reinjured his left hamstring late in the fourth quarter against the Argonauts — it was his first game back in a month — and won't play against the Stampeders — and likely well beyond. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was the losing quarterback against both Hamilton and B.C. during Alexander's absence, will start against Calgary.
Receiver Tyson Philpot (knee) and return-specialist James Letcher Jr. also were missing on Sunday. Letcher was seen with a cast on an arm during Thursday's game.
While Lemon said he heard from other teams last week after being reinstated, the Alouettes were the only organization that piqued his interest. Lemon signed with Montreal as a free agent in July 2023 and played a significant role in its run to the Grey Cup that season. He made 26 tackles, had nine sacks, intercepted two passes, forced a fumble and scored a touchdown. He was less conspicuous last season, with one sack in four games, which increased his career total to 102 sacks.
Lemon continued to train for the past year, believing — and hoping — this day would come while being in and out of Montreal. But there's shape and then there's football shape. However, if he shows anything over the next two weeks, the Als likely would have a limited package for him, perhaps 10 plays, against the Roughriders.
If Lemon has anything left in the tank and can come close to reproducing the numbers from 2023, Montreal will become a better defence with him available. Off the field, his veteran presence and leadership qualities will become significant as well.
'I had a goal. My goal was to come back and return to playing football,' he said. ''I'm living in this moment. Anything else from the past, I'm willing to leave those things in the past.
'I've put a lot of work and time into what I do. I understand this game very well. I feel like all my skills are still there.'
If nothing else, Lemon will have fresh legs and a body that hasn't taken any punishment for a year.
'He's locked in for sure,' defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe said. 'He hasn't been on the field for a while and I know he has been champing at the bit to get out there. I think he feels really good about being out there. You could see that. He was full of energy. It's getting back to doing what he does very well.
'I think this is very realistic. When we got Shawn two years ago, he hadn't played in a while. I know how he takes care of himself and works behind the scenes. He's going to be watching film and will be right on top of it. He's going to know exactly what offences are doing, how they're trying to attack us.
'He's going to know his playbook. He has been in it before. It's like riding a bike. He's getting back on it. He knows what to expect. He knows how to do it. He has been there before. His body's fresh. You get in game shape by playing games. It's our job as coaches to manage that load. He's going to want to get out there and make up for lost time. It's great to have him out there, no question.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Canadian high diver Simone Leathead wins silver medal at aquatics worlds
Canada's Simone Leathead captured the first world championship medal of her career on Saturday in Singapore, winning silver in the women's 20 metre high dive. The Montreal native moved from fourth place into second on her final dive, an inward three somersaults ½ twist pike, which scored 90 points. WATCH | Leathead captures silver medal in Singapore: Montreal's Simone Leathead wins world championship silver in the 20m high dive 56 minutes ago "Today took a little turn because of the weather, but I'm super happy with what I did. Being able to do six dives to the best of my ability, I'm just super proud," Leathead said after the event. "I'm coming from a diving background and the world championships were always on my 'big dreams list', so to be able to compete and do great and be able to be on the podium is just a very big accomplishment for me." The 22-year-old finished behind Australian veteran Rhiannan Iffland, who lead the standings from start to finish and won gold to secure her fifth world championship title. "I have already achieved four [world titles] in the past, and I was wondering about the possibility of winning a fifth. I came into this event knowing I could be fighting for it, but it wasn't my main goal," the 33-year-old Iffland said. "It's insane, I'm blown away, I'm kinda speechless right now. I never would have thought 10 years ago I would be holding my fifth medal." Rounding out the podium was American teen Maya Kelly, who made history with her bronze-medal performance. The 18-year-old athlete became the youngest-ever medallist in high diving at the world championships.


CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
Months after launch, Montreal Roses FC still going strong on and off the pitch
Half way through their inaugural season, Montreal's professional women's soccer club continues to draw strong fan support. It's fighting for first place in the league and achieving some commercial success.


CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
Ever heard of speedcubing? Over 200 compete in Rubik's Cube races in Montreal
The Canadian speedcubing championship is taking place in Montreal for the first time. It's attracted more than 200 competitors representing 14 countries. Some attempt to solve the cube with one hand only and others try to do it as fast as possible.