CFL suspends Riders’ receiver Duke Williams one game following helmet throw

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The CFL has imposed supplemental discipline following a pre-game altercation from Saturday’s game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.

Riders’ receiver Duke Williams has been suspended for one game after he ripped off the helmet of Toronto Argonauts’ defensive back Shaquille Richardson and threw it at him.

Richardson has been assessed a maximum fine for initiating the confrontation with Williams when he crossed midfield into Saskatchewan’s territory during pre-game warm-ups. He also later punched Williams during the game, according to the CFL.

The maximum allowable fine in the CFL is half of a player’s game cheque.

“Such pre-game hostilities are unacceptable and the use of a helmet as a weapon is especially dangerous,” said CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie in a statement. “Neither is to be tolerated.”

Toronto Argonauts’ defensive lineman Eli Mencer was also assessed a one-game suspension for directing derogatory language towards an official during the same game.

This marks the second time that a member of the Riders has been suspended this season as defensive tackle Garrett Marino was suspended for four games for a pair of illegal hits and directing racial language at Ottawa Redblacks’ Jeremiah Masoli.

Saskatchewan (4-2) is set to host Toronto (2-2) for the second half of a home-and-home series on Saturday. The Riders were forced to cancel practice on Tuesday and Wednesday after ten players tested positive for COVID-19. No decision regarding the possible postponement or cancellation of the game has been made.