Shawn Lemon will not be returning to the Montreal Alouettes lineup anytime soon.

The CFL announced on Wednesday that an independent arbitrator had upheld the defensive player’s indefinite suspension due to sports betting. The arbitrator’s decision is binding and could mean the end of Lemon’s 13-year career, as there was no indication if or when the 36-year-old American might apply for reinstatement.

“It’s clear that this is an important issue,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “It’s about the integrity of the game.”

“That’s why we’ve seen sports leagues around the world deal with this so harshly… as leagues, we watch each other because there are precedents.”

And the precedent certainly does not bode well for Lemon.

On April 17, Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors was banned from the NBA for life after an investigation found that he shared confidential information with sports bettors, placed bets on league games and limited his time on the court – at least once – for betting purposes.

In June, Tucupita Marcano of the San Diego Padres was banned from baseball for life for betting on the sport. Oakland pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor league players were also banned for a year for violating gambling laws.

“Players, fans and everyone connected with our game must be able to believe in the fairness of competition in the league,” Ambrosie said. “Today’s decision confirms that standard and underscores the CFL’s position against match-fixing.”

The Alouettes said they respected the referee’s decision.

Player quiet

“The Alouettes organization has always supported the league’s gambling rules and will continue to do so,” the Alouettes said in a statement. “The integrity of the league is of the utmost importance to us.”

“Since joining the Alouettes on July 24, 2023, Shawn Lemon has been an important part of our locker room and our community. We want to thank him for all the contributions he has made to our team over the past 13 months.”

There was no initial comment from Lemon.

The ruling follows the CFL’s decision on August 18 to conditionally reinstate Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly to the team. On May 7, Kelly was suspended for two of the Argonauts’ tryouts and at least the first nine games of the regular season for violating the team’s gender-based violence policy.

The suspension followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength and conditioning coach against Kelly for sexual harassment and against the Argos for wrongful termination. The lawsuit was settled in June through mediation involving all parties.

The CFL originally suspended Lemon indefinitely on April 24 for allegedly betting on games during his time with the Calgary Stampeders in 2021, including one in which he played.

The decision came two weeks after Lemon retired after 13 CFL seasons after helping Montreal defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in the 2023 Grey Cup. He had originally signed a one-year contract with the Alouettes in December 2023.

Lemon originally signed a one-year contract with Montreal in December 2023.

The CFL stated at the time that there was no evidence that games had been influenced by Lemon’s betting and that neither the Stampeders’ coaches, teammates or team personnel were aware of his actions.

In May, Lemon appealed the suspension, which allowed him to attend Montreal’s training camp and play with the CFL team.

Trained with the team in July, early August

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Lemon helped Montreal to four straight season-opening wins before another referee ruled on July 4 to reinstate the CFL’s indefinite suspension.

Lemon’s appeal was heard on August 2 and 5.

He continued to practice with the Alouettes but did not play in their final seven games of the regular season. Montreal won six of those games and holds the CFL’s best record at 10-1.

Montreal will resume its schedule on September 6 when it hosts the BC Lions.

Lemon joined the Alouettes last season after being released by BC during training camp. After signing Lemon, Montreal went 12-4, including the postseason.

Lemon contributed, recording 26 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 13 regular season games. He also recorded his 100th CFL sack last season, becoming only the 13th player in league history to reach that milestone.

Lemon began his professional career in 2011 as a practice player with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with every CFL team, some multiple times, except Hamilton. He also won Grey Cups with Calgary (2014) and Toronto (2017).

Lemon also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, as well as two teams in the Arena Football League and another in the Indoor Football League.

Retired quarterback Kevin Glenn is the only player in CFL history to have played for all nine franchises.

Lemon recorded 262 tackles, two special teams tackles and 102 sacks during his CFL career. He also had three interceptions, 30 forced fumbles and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

He was a CFL All-Star in 2022 when he recorded 14 sacks with Calgary and was the West Division’s best defensive player that season.