donefron wrote:
I do know Mitchells intent as I have spoken to him personally on the matter. he was trying to clear the player to the side to break an illegal hold he told me it was not his intention to hurt & accidental that his arm got hung up. On 1040 after the game he even said as much but that hasnt been reported in any venue. He said it was unfortunate & that he prayed for the safety of the player also that there was a ref within feet of the play that made no call & felt no infraction had been made.On the issue of a 2 game suspension this would be the longest supension that Cohon has given out in his entire 7 year tenure so basically we are saying the worst thing anyone has done in the cfl in 7 years (anyone remember Jason Jiminez career?) sure it may have been dangerous (Rottier was just put on the 1 game list today by the way expected back after that thankfully) but not as callous as some want to make it out to be.this is a good man & a good player a bad incident sure but the rabid killer people are trying to paint him to be. and if you dont believe I have spoken to him read the managing mitchell article at theprovince.com online that is me speaking with him with my daughter on my shoulders same pic is in @FifthQuarter Lowell Ulrichs blog
I do believe it is possible that Mitchell was trying to throw Rottier to the side. Possible. An arm and hand are stuck to his chest. He tries to throw the guy. Possible. If Mitchell put his right hand in Rottier's chest, moved his own left hand to Rottier's shoulder, and then pulled him to the left, it might have thrown Rottier without endangering Rottier's arm. Split second stuff, to make an adjustment. In the heat of battle. It seems to me it is possible that is what Mitchell intended, not to rip his arm off. Possible. Who can read the intent in a person's mind with certainty?
As a fan, I support Khalif Mitchell. Only he knows in his heart and mind what his intent was at that moment. The hearing will make a decision and we go on from there. As Khalif Mitchell's career goes on, we will form a more sure impression of whether or not he is a "dirty" player. And of course there have been dirty players. As of now, I am not prepared to put Khalif Mitchell in that category.
If the suspension stands, so be it. I do think Dunigan and Schultz threw Mitchell to the wolves without even considering whether he truly did not intend to injure Rottier. The fact it was caught on TV and condemned by media guys like Dunigan and Schultz I believe contributed to the length of the suspension. Not the first time stuff like that has happened in a football game. Up to this time, Khalif Mitchell has been considered a fierce competitor, but not dirty, and without intent to injure players. Did that suddenly change?
Football is not a game of golf, or even a game of baseball. It is usually very violent and dangerous out there.
And I am not condoning the dangerous action of Khalif Mitchell. I am keeping an open mind as to his intent. As to the danger of the act, and the vulnerability of his opponent, I hope Mitchell learns from this. Players have to be aware when an opponent is particularly vulnerable, and act accordingly.
Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan, a member of CFL royalty, indignantly tweeted that Mitchell should have been suspended “for three or four games,” although retired Blue Bomber and probable future Hall of Famer Doug Brown suggested that some of the fault should lie with Rottier for placing his arm where it wasn’t supposed to be.
“I watched the play. I can make two conclusions. But I don’t have to make the decision,” Buono said. “I’m not the judge and jury. But I’ve got to respect the due process. Whether I want to condone him or praise him, it’s not relevant at this time. What’s relevant is that the facts be stated.”
Asked whether he considered Mitchell’s action a flagrant violation of the rules and a flaunting of acceptable behaviour, Buono responded, “No more than a guy who gets a clipping penalty, no more than a guy who gets a holding penalty. This is a reaction in the spur of the moment. This is not intent. In a game, the majority of those are reactionary.”
Read more:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/E ... z21gf5DET6
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