Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Lawler apologizes for ‘selfish decision’ that led to arrest – Winnipeg
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler apologized Tuesday for the “egocentric determination” he made that led to his arrest for impaired driving this week.
The CFL’s chief in receiving yards instructed media that the incident, which occurred early Monday morning, was a single-vehicle accident and there have been no accidents.
“This was a mistake,” Lawler mentioned after Winnipeg’s closed observe, which he was allowed to take part in despite the fact that the group has suspended him for Friday’s dwelling sport in opposition to Edmonton.
“It was a egocentric determination. Only a dangerous determination on my half that I knew higher to not step in that automotive. I’m sorry to everybody on the market.”
Lawler mentioned he by no means thought it could occur to him. He had a message for others who suppose the identical method.
“I need everybody on the market to be very good concerning the selections they make,” he mentioned. “I’m simply grateful and blessed that I ain’t damage no person. I didn’t even damage myself.
“One thing like this might be 10 instances worse, so I simply need the children, followers, adults, simply anybody, simply to actually suppose twice concerning the issues and the choices that you simply’re about to make if you’re not in the appropriate thoughts.”
The 27-year-old vast receiver had simply come off a CFL career-high efficiency, hauling in 12 receptions for 205 yards and a landing because the league-leading Bombers (7-1) crushed the Lions 30-9 final Friday at BC Place to increase their win streak to 5 video games.
Lawler tops the CFL with 703 receiving yards in eight video games this season. His 45 catches and 4 receiving touchdowns are each tied for second within the league.
The native of California knowledgeable head coach Mike O’Shea and different workers about his arrest on Monday, and spoke to his teammates Tuesday.
“Man, I used to be dreading strolling on this locker room having to take care of every thing that’s occurred and transpired,” Lawler mentioned.
“And as quickly as I walked on this locker room, man, I used to be simply being hugged on. Folks had been coming and patting me on my again, letting me know that I’m going to must get by way of this, as a result of I used to be feeling the more serious ever and that I couldn’t get by way of it.”
The Bombers knowledgeable the CFL workplace about Lawler’s arrest and he’s agreed to hunt assist associated to alcohol abuse.
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“I’m open to no matter. Any assist that I might get, I’m all for it,” Lawler mentioned, including he hasn’t had an issue with alcohol up to now.
O’Shea instructed reporters he went by way of a spread of feelings after studying concerning the arrest.
“There’s some anger concerned, and you then take it again to the particular person, the participant and teammate that we have now right here that all of us like and luxuriate in,” O’Shea mentioned.
“It rapidly rights your practice of thought into, ‘all proper, what does he want, what’s the group want then and the way will we transfer ahead?’”
He doesn’t anticipate Lawler will obtain self-discipline from the CFL, however mentioned the Bombers wanted to behave and handed out the one-game suspension.
“We simply really feel that there needs to be one thing from the group that reveals that we don’t condone this behaviour,” O’Shea mentioned, including it doesn’t seem Lawler was socializing with teammates previous to his arrest.
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O’Shea hasn’t determined who’ll substitute Lawler for Friday’s sport, however revealed Drew Wolitarsky didn’t practise Tuesday after struggling a leg damage in opposition to the Lions. The Bombers do have veteran receiver Naaman Roosevelt practising since signing him in late August.
One participant who will miss Lawler on the sector is quarterback Zach Collaros, who was named the league’s prime performer of the week Tuesday.
Collaros accomplished 28-of-33 passes for a season-high 417 yards and two touchdowns within the victory over B.C. Collaros at present tops the league in passing yards with 2,148 yards.
“Kenny’s actually remorseful. He’s accepted his punishment, clearly, and he’s attempting to take duty for the choice he made,” Collaros mentioned. “We’re going to rally round him as teammates.
“When he will get again, he’ll be able to go.”
That’s what Lawler desires, and mentioned he’ll be a greater man, father, teammate and participant.
“I imagine that is going to be an important turning level in my profession,” he mentioned.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
