Global News has learned that Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver Chris Matthews was stabbed at a downtown restaurant over the weekend.
Matthews, 29, was at La Roca Mexican Restaurant on Smith Street when the incident happened early Sunday morning. Matthews was taken to hospital and has since been released.
Head Coach Mike O’Shea said Matthews was OK, but wouldn’t comment further, stating the Bombers would leave that to police.
Winnipeg police said they were called to the restaurant for a disturbance at 2:10 a.m. Sunday. They would not confirm Matthews was stabbed and said no charges would be laid in the incident.
In a statement to Global News Monday night, La Roca management said there was a “physical altercation” between a Winnipeg Blue Bomber player and other patrons which they say was diffused quickly by the restaurant’s security team.
An injury kept Matthews out of three games so far this season. He was on the practice field at IG Field Monday.
Matthews was placed on the one-game injured list after hurting the pinkie finger on his right hand in the 29-14 win at Ottawa on July 5. When an athlete is on an injured list, he is not obligated to talk to media.