CFL Implements Immediate Changes

Sticking with theme of player safety, what about the safety of the Pro Players in various sports whose career could end in a split-second of play.

Regardless of the sport, especially at the Pro level of the game, it’s quite often more about money than the sport or safety of the players.

So who’s to blame for this thinking process and is there one specific part you can actually put the blame on?

The CFL is being extremely pro-active and earlier CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has a plan to improve player safety.

Earlier in the season he (Ambrosie) started his campaign saying that player safety was hugely important  knowing what is involved and also witnessing one team playing three games in eleven days due to the tight schedule for the league.

He personally feels it’s too hard to ask the players to continue on this path and in a meeting with the Players Association they felt the league could make it safer for the players and more entertaining for the fans as well.

The fans expect players to play at a high level game in and game out and it’s clear that the CFL Commissioner respects the players in the league.

Obviously both sides came together and given the immediate change to the “padded practice” implemented immediately.

One can only assume that the discussion were rapid in part due to the Commissioner being a former player as he can clearly relate to the issues and needs of the players, especially when they are expected to have a quick recovery.

Previously teams were allowed to hold a total of 17 padded practices following training camp, but effective immediately the league is eliminating full-contact padded practices during the season thereby extending its schedule to 21 weeks hopefully reducing any risk of injury.

After that, clubs can have three more padded practices for a total of 14 on the year.

Starting next year, the CFL regular season will be extended one week to 21, giving players more rest time between games.

The CFL and CFL Players Association made the joint announcement and the change is effective immediately.

As a result, each CFL team will have three bye weeks instead of two.