Kickers Sergio Castillo, Brett Lauther, Sean Whyte and Lewis Ward were fined by the CFL on Friday after publicly speaking out on the league91裸聊视频檚 use of chipped footballs on field-goal attempts.
Castillo took issue with the chipped balls in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers91裸聊视频� season-opening 27-12 home loss to the Montreal Alouettes on June 6. Castillo, who made over 90 per cent of his attempts in 2023, missed two of three field goals he tried in the game as well as a convert.
Afterwards, Castillo contended the chips 91裸聊视频� which collect statistical data for the CFL 91裸聊视频� impacted the ball91裸聊视频檚 trajectory and made it difficult for kickers to do their jobs.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 know where to aim,91裸聊视频� Castillo told reporters after the game. 91裸聊视频淓very time I91裸聊视频檓 out there, I91裸聊视频檓 literally praying the Rosary.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 know where to aim.91裸聊视频�
Lauther, Whyte and Ward all took to social media to come to Castillo91裸聊视频檚 defence. Shortly afterwards, the CFL said there was no evidence the chips negatively impacted the balls but did amend its rules to allow teams to determine before games whether their punters and kickers would play with chipped footballs or those without chips.
The league put microchips into its footballs this season to help generate real-time advanced statistics. It did so in some games last year, but none were used in kicking situations.
But the league will continue using microchip-implanted balls this season and revisit their usage before the 2025 campaign.
On Friday, Castillo was fined for violating the CFL91裸聊视频檚 code of conduct. Lauther, Whyte and Ward were all disciplined for breaching the league91裸聊视频檚 social media policy.
Ottawa punter Richie Leone was also fined, but for a 91裸聊视频渢ourist hit91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� a type of unnecessary roughness foul 91裸聊视频� on Winnipeg defensive back Marquise Bridges in the Renegades91裸聊视频� 23-19 win June 13.
Saskatchewan defensive lineman Micah Johnson was disciplined for contravening the CFL91裸聊视频檚 code of conduct and verbally abusing an official in the Riders91裸聊视频� 33-30 road win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday night.
As per league policy, the amounts of the fines was not disclosed.
The Canadian Press
