Riders’ Chris Jones got out CFL rulebook after failed challenge in East Final loss

Chris Jones has read the rulebook over and over again since Sunday’s loss to Toronto in the East Final.

The Riders head coach used the team’s only challenge in the first quarter of the season-ending defeat and it didn’t go as planned.

Kevin Glenn threw an interception to Terrance Plummer who took it back 39 yards for a touchdown with under five minutes and 30 seconds left in the opening quarter. After Glenn had let the ball go, Victor Butler’s left arm made contact with Saskatchewan’s quarterback’s head and neck area. There was no penalty flag on the play, so Jones challenged the ruling.

“Well, I mean I’ve been reading this rulebook since last night and it says right here on page 56 any blow above the passer’s shoulder,” Jones said

The photo evidence.

“Certainly it’s early in the game and that’s a seven-point turnaround. That was my belief is that he did get contacted above his shoulder pads in his head and neck area or I wouldn’t have burned my one challenge that I had, I firmly believe that I still do,” Jones asserted.

“But at the same time, that’s not the only thing that cost us that football game, I want to make that abundantly clear: we’re not trying to make excuses or point fingers or anything else. That was a challenge, I lost the challenge. There were plenty of other opportunities that we had to win that football game and unfortunately we didn’t.”

“I don’t know if I should comment about this because I haven’t received our last check, so they may still be able to fine me after I say this, but I’ve seen other QBs in the league get that call. And I’ll leave it at that,” Glenn said.