“We made a large and serious mistake.”
Those words make up the start of a statement released by Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young following the team’s decision to hire — and then un-hire — controversial coach Art Briles on Monday.
READ MORE: Art Briles won’t be joining Hamilton Ticats coaching staff: CFL
Young went on to apologize “to our fans, corporate partners and the Canadian Football League” for the decision.
Ticats CEO Scott Mitchell addressed the matter on Tuesday, saying “clearly what was contemplated was totally unacceptable to the general public.”
LISTEN: Ticats CEO Scott Mitchell on the hiring of Art Briles
Briles was fired as Baylor University’s head coach last year after an investigation revealed the school mishandled sexual assault allegations, including some against football players.
Prior to the reversal of the decision, Briles’ appointment as Ticats assistant head coach offence was met with sharp criticism on social media. On Monday night, the league and the team issued a joint statement.
“Art Briles will no longer be joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a coach,” the CFL said. “We came to this decision this evening following a lengthy discussion between the league and the Hamilton organization. We wish Mr. Briles all the best in his future endeavours.”
LISTEN: Scott Mitchell joins the Bill Kelly Show
Carmela Bozzo, who works for the Halton Women’s Place shelter in Burlington, told CHML’s Ted Michaels that while she was pleased the Ticats quickly reversed the decision, the organization’s response was disappointing because it didn’t go far enough.
“Not that I want to see anybody lose their job, but I think that this was a huge, huge mistake that they have agreed to, that they have said, but there needs to be something else,” she said.
“Is there training that’s going to happen? Are they going to bring in the women’s organizations from Hamilton and talk to them? Are they going to give back to them in another way?” Bozzo said. “I don’t know, I just think there needs to be something bigger. There needs to be consequences.”
LISTEN: Carmela Bozzo on the Ticats handling of the Art Briles controversy
Nancy Smith, executive director of Hamilton’s Interval House, is inviting the Tiger-Cats organization to join its “Be More Than a Bystander” mentoring action program, which works towards engaging male leaders in the prevention of gender-based violence.
Nancy Smith says the Hamilton Bulldogs and McMaster Marauders joined the program last year and she is once again offering the Ticats to do the same.
“This is an opportunity for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to turn it around and change their image in the Hamilton community,” she said.
She believes it will go a long way in the team better aligning itself with the CFL’s policy on ending sexual violence in sports.
LISTEN: Nancy Smith joins the Bill Kelly Show
With files from CHML and Kerri Breen