Edmonton Elks’ quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson will likely be lighter in the pocketbook again this week after taking issue with the CFL’s officiating of a critical incompletion in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to Saskatchewan.
“A questionable call, in my opinion, on the goal line, where they reviewed a scoring play but it’s not a scoring play,” Bethel-Thompson told reporters after the game. “That, to me, is a ridiculous call. It wasn’t a scoring play, so I don’t know how you review a scoring play. We were on the ball, ready to go. They have to challenge it. They have to challenge it to get it overturned. That just seems bogus.”
Trailing by a touchdown with six minutes to go in the game, Bethel-Thompson delivered a 28-yard laser to running back Javon Leake in between two defenders. The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player was originally credited with a ridiculous diving catch and ruled down at the one-yard line, before the CFL Command Centre elected to step in. Replay review showed that the ground aided Leake in controlling the ball after an earlier bobble and the play was overturned, limiting the Elks to a field goal.
That would be the final scoring play of the day, as Edmonton fell 28-24 and was officially eliminated from playoff contention.
“Everything you can imagine going against us went against us,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I’m proud of the pride in this room, I’m proud of the men in the room. But, sheesh, when is it going to get any easier?”
Bethel-Thompson has a well-established reputation for criticizing the powers that be in the CFL and has already been fined twice this season for calling out the league’s scheduling of short weeks. However, the veteran signal-caller doesn’t seem to have a grasp of the CFL review system he is taking shots at this week.
While the three-down league has automatically reviewed all scoring plays since the 2012 season, they have also gone through the same process for all potential scoring plays since 2018. As it was unclear whether Leake hit the ground prior to the ball crossing the plane at the goal line, the play in question had to be subject to review. That has been the case since Bethel-Thompson’s second season in the CFL and every start of his career has been played under that same rule.
Those facts are unlikely to quell the quarterback’s frustrations after he completed 33-of-41 passes for 379 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the deciding loss of the season. With the postseason now out of reach for a fourth straight year, he may not start the final two contests as the Elks look to mend fences with Canadian QB Tre Ford. Nevertheless, he remains committed to keeping the group motivated.
“Not every year ends in rings. Each individual needs to have pride in how they show up,” he said. “If you’re looking for this game to fulfill you, it’s going to break you every time. Everybody loves football. Football loves no one. We all individually have to find our ‘why,’ redefine our ‘why’ and do it for the fans. We owe it to ourselves to finish on a high note.”
The Elks (5-11) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (4-10-1) on Saturday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
