REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced that defensive lineman Tearrius George is retiring from the CFL after his involvement in a police matter last week.
“I am stepping away from the game to focus on a personal issue,” George said in a statement. “I would ask for people to respect my family’s privacy during this time.”
Regina police revealed on Tuesday that George has been charged with assault after a domestic incident on the 5600 block of Gordon Road on April 28.
It is alleged that an argument escalated to the point where George physically assaulted a 33-year-old woman, grabbing her throat and pushing her against a wall. Police say a one-year-old child was present at the time of the incident.
Chris Jones, Vice-President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach, said: “Through speaking with Tearrius, we were made aware that he was involved in an incident that has become a police matter. He subsequently informed us he has decided to retire.”
Last August the CFL announced new policies regarding domestic violence, and a partnership with Ending Violence Association of Canada designed to educate players about violence against woman.
This is the first time that the CFL has had to deal with a player since the new policies were put in place.
In part, the new CFL policies include working with CFL teams when a report of domestic violence involving a CFL employee is received. According to the CFL, “We will assess the situation and future risk to the women in question, and engage when necessary with local experts who will make up violence against women response teams.”
“The player’s decision to retire has nothing to do with the policy,” CFL director of communications Paulo Senra said in an email to Global News. “The policy was followed diligently by the Riders. Among other things, the policy requires that counselling be offered to both the man and the woman whenever there is an allegation or report of violence against women.”
“That offer has been made,” Senra said. “The CFL will have no further comment on the incident as the matter is now before the courts.”
The Riders also said they will not be offering further comment on George’s retirement as the matter is before the courts.
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