Charles Eger no longer with Redblacks after alleged ‘insensitivity’ to French-Canadian players

Photo courtesy: Ottawa Redblacks.

Running backs coach Charles Eger is no longer with the Ottawa Redblacks after allegedly making insensitive comments to French-Canadian players, according to Martin Comtois of Le Droit.

Eger was not on the sidelines during Ottawa’s loss to the Toronto Argonauts this past week and head coach Paul LaPolice confirmed that Eger was asked to not be with the team for their final regular season games.

LaPolice told Comtois that Eger had “shown insensitivity” to the team’s French-speaking players and removing him from the clubhouse was the “right decision.” The head coach would not confirm whether Eger has been suspended or fired, though he said that Eger’s contract would not be renewed.

LaPolice also said that he addressed the team’s players to apologize for the incident and assure them that the organization values diversity and inclusion. Ottawa currently has eleven French-speaking players on its roster.

As of 2016, 39.0 percent of Ottawa’s population spoke French, 37.6 percent of whom are bilingual.

Eger has coached extensively at the collegiate level with stints at Clarion University, Seton Hill University, Widener University, and Central Connecticut State. This was his first season with the Redblacks after previously serving as a guest coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, St. Louis Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers.