Can we declare 2017 the worst season in Hamilton Tiger-Cats history?
The latest black mark in what has been more of a black than gold year for the Black & Gold came Tuesday when the CFL announced that Hamilton receiver Mike Jones was suspended for two games after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Jones tested positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing anabolic steroid.
By the way, that word should definitely be in the championship round at the next National Spelling Bee.
The sophomore receiver has apologized, but also said he has “never intentionally consumed” the banned drug and doesn’t know how it got in his system.
It is the same substance former Toronto Blue Jay Chris Colabello tested positive for in 2016.
Back to my original question, is 2017 the worst year ever for the Cats? I wasn’t around when the franchise was founded in 1869, obviously, but I’ve certainly followed the Cats and the CFL for more than 30 years.
The Jones suspension, the Johnny Manziel rumours, the Art Briles disaster, the coaching changes, the 60-1 debacle in Calgary, Will Hill grabbing an official, Demond Washington spitting in the face of an opponent, and the 2-9 last place record.
Other contenders for the Ticats’ worst year include the 2013 monsoon season in Guelph, the 1-17 bankrupt season of 2003, and the 2-16 record the team had in 1997.
For me, all the off-field B.S. has made this the worst year that I can recall.
On second thought, given that this season isn’t quite over and done with yet, it’ll sit second to 2003… for now.
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