Oh no!

**Will** · 12-03-2021, 11:34 AM

Hearing @TorontoArgos QB MacLeod Bethel-Thompson has been sent home and is being held out of practice today because of attending the @Raptors game at his team’s request. It’s a violation of CFL Covid protocol, which states he must now quarantine 4 days. Game day is Sunday.#CFL
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) December 3, 2021

**cfl-cis fan** · 12-03-2021, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Will

While this is a stupid rule, some one is in charge of this team and activities. Where does the blame lie. While players are held responsible for their actions on the field, should coaches and staff not also be held responsible for this....

**paulwoods13** · 12-03-2021, 12:02 PM

And meanwhile, according to Madani (so take it for what it's worth, but IMO his reports are usually accurate), Masoli is unvaxed but will of course be playing.

If Argos end up playing this game without MBT, my lifelong love affair with the league and the team might finally be over. The org should not have placed their most important player at risk of getting quarantined, so that's on us, but the league needs to come to its senses as well.

**AngeloV** · 12-03-2021, 12:25 PM

If he was there on the request of the team, I'm guessing these are nothing but mind games being played by the Argos leading up to the game. Guessing today's practice is closed being the last one before the game (tomorrow is just a walk through). This would make the Ti-Cats have to prepare for a different type of QB in Pipkin as well as MBT. I will believe he isn't playing when I see it.

**Mightygoose** · 12-03-2021, 12:27 PM

If this is true then how can this oversight happen? It's a lose-lose situation.

Go with the rules: We're significant underdogs and it may cost us the season

Make an exception: The optics look bad as the league is giving different rules to the Argos

**argofan81** · 12-03-2021, 01:08 PM

Does anyone have a link as to what the actual league CFL protocols are? I know at the beginning of the year you basically were not allowed to go anywhere vaccinated or not but I *think* there were changes during the season if the players were fully vaccinated. Not trying to say that MBT didn’t break protocols, just curious as to what the actual protocols are?

**Will** · 12-03-2021, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by argofan81

Does anyone have a link as to what the actual league CFL protocols are? I know at the beginning of the year you basically were not allowed to go anywhere vaccinated or not but I *think* there were changes during the season if the players were fully vaccinated. Not trying to say that MBT didn’t break protocols, just curious as to what the actual protocols are?

Good question. The provincial protocols have certainly evolved, but I don't think the league ever amended them.

**ArgoGabe22** · 12-03-2021, 01:43 PM

Nothing wrong with an altercation at a bar/restaurant though, if you're a Rider.

**shayman** · 12-03-2021, 01:46 PM

Hmm, I wonder how the league found out.

https://twitter.com/speedybanks87/st...50657273151490

Wow when I tried to go to raptors game the @cfl told me I couldn’t go ! I ain’t snitching but shit fishy ! #Protocol #tier1 https://t.co/iVuowKAPI1
— brandon banks (@speedybanks87) December 3, 2021

**Joe Barnes** · 12-03-2021, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by paulwoods13

And meanwhile, according to Madani (so take it for what it's worth, but IMO his reports are usually accurate), Masoli is unvaxed but will of course be playing.

If Argos end up playing this game without MBT, my lifelong love affair with the league and the team might finally be over. The org should not have placed their most important player at risk of getting quarantined, so that's on us, but the league needs to come to its senses as well.

I agree with this sentiment 100%! We have been begging MLSE to do something to promote the team and this game, and they finally did! It is not MBT's fault that he attended this 'gathering' and was being reckless, the prevention of which is the intent of the rule. He was told to attend by his employer. If the league can't see past the 'letter of the law' in this case, I don't know what to say. Though it looks bad no matter what choice the league makes.

**SkalbaniasGhost** · 12-03-2021, 02:07 PM

Jacob Ruby and the CFLPA have got to be watching this situation intently.
Does Randy take the fall for this?

**DanTheFan** · 12-03-2021, 02:11 PM

My brother brought up an excellent point regarding the consistencies of COVID protocol between leagues. Nazem Kadri attended a Raptors game on Tuesday night, and played the Leafs the next day. Why doesn't the NHL view this as a breach of protocol? Is it because they were playing in the same arena? What makes the NHL more aware of what is risky behaviour compared to the CFL?

I'm fully prepared for a game where Pipkin is the starter, but definitely won't be happy about it. Not pinning it on MBT fully since he was answering the call of the higher-ups. I was wondering how this would play into next season hypothetically as I can't remember his contract status. If someone at MLSE put him up to it, AND he has played his last game as an Argo, would the team have a lawsuit on their hands? Sunday's game is where he can prove he's a money quarterback, and if he's kept out, then what?

**Jon Gonzo** · 12-03-2021, 02:21 PM

Just test the guy for heavens sake! Complete non-sense to risk a teams whole seasons' effort on something that means absolutely nothing, should he test negative. If he tested positive, well that's a whole new story. We have the technology and know-how to make this go away. There's a solution if the the League and CFLPA are brave enough to find it. If they don't, to me, its time for Ambrosie to go away.

**AngeloV** · 12-03-2021, 02:27 PM

I'm sure the fact that he was there at the request of his owners will play a big part in him being allowed to play on Sunday. He wasn't being reckless just for the sake of being reckless. He was doing something his owners requested, so he really should not be punished for this. Again, I guarantee (not a Patrick Levels guarantee though) that he will play.

**Wobbler** · 12-03-2021, 02:34 PM

"McLeod Bethel-Thompson, four other Argos must quarantine two days, record negative PCR test to play East Final".

Medically reasonable, but it sounds like the league is bending its own rules. I don't expect that to go over well outside of Toronto.

**AngeloV** · 12-03-2021, 02:35 PM

Well, the league has made their decision. 2 days quarantine, 3 negative tests and he is eligible to play. 4 other Argos were at the game too. Dexter McCoil, Charleston Hughes, Jeff Richards and Llevi Noel. Noel injured anyway, and the rest have to follow same quarantine and test rules as MBT.

https://www.cfl.ca/2021/12/03/cfl-is...thel-thompson/

**Jon Gonzo** · 12-03-2021, 02:42 PM

So the league has ruled, and if he passes two tests and quarantines from now till game time, he's a go. No meetings or practice for Mac, but rational minds prevailed. This is the CFL, I worried

**matthew** · 12-03-2021, 02:59 PM

Oh just let the guy drive on the left side of the road until he head-ons someone! All good till then right?

Originally Posted by Jon Gonzo

Just test the guy for heavens sake! Complete non-sense to risk a teams whole seasons' effort on something that means absolutely nothing, should he test negative. If he tested positive, well that's a whole new story. We have the technology and know-how to make this go away. There's a solution if the the League and CFLPA are brave enough to find it. If they don't, to me, its time for Ambrosie to go away.

**Mightygoose** · 12-03-2021, 03:01 PM

I think it's the best compromise that they can come up with. If he tests negative then there's no risk. The protocols we're dated anyways IMO, as long as MBT is fully vaxxed (I'm assuming he is) then why can't he go to a Raptor game like anyone else.

**matthew** · 12-03-2021, 03:01 PM

Us making the 2012 100th Grey Cup engendered copious amounts of conspiracy theories that of course were unwarranted.

This however, is a bit more cut and dried and you're right, outside of the city the sentiment is sure to be "I guess its Toronto's world and we're just playing in it"

Originally Posted by Wobbler

"McLeod Bethel-Thompson, four other Argos must quarantine two days, record negative PCR test to play East Final".

Medically reasonable, but it sounds like the league is bending its own rules. I don't expect that to go over well outside of Toronto.