Riders' A.C. Leonard apologizes for actions

Calls suspension for not providing urine sample a `learning experience'

A.C. Leonard stayed very late and still departed too early.

In hindsight, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive end knows that it was a mistake and that he never should have left Mosaic Stadium before producing a urine sample for drug testing.

“Do what you have to do to stay,” Leonard said Tuesday while addressing the three-game suspension that stemmed from him failing to provide the urine sample.

“If you have to stay until 7 a.m., bring your bed, your food and everything you can until you provide a sample for the guys or you will have to go through all of this. Just get it done, no matter what it takes.”

Leonard was aware of the consequences of violating the CFL and CFL Players' Association joint drug policy. Failing to supply a sample for drug testing carries with it an automatic two-game suspension. The CFL later added another game on to Leonard's suspension for what the league deemed to be “verbal abuse and unacceptable behaviour” toward the doping control officials.

“I feel terrible about it,” Leonard said. “These last couple of weeks have been very hard on me. I feel really bad because that's not who I am as a person. ”

Leonard said he has had issues in the past with producing a urine sample for drug testing. However, he declined to elaborate on the behaviour that resulted in the additional one-game suspension.

“First, I want to apologize to my teammates,” said Leonard, adding he had apologized to the doping official. “I want to apologize to my family for bringing this negative press on. I apologize to Rider Nation because I didn't mean for this to happen. I want to apologize to my coaches and express how appreciative I was for them standing behind me throughout the whole situation.”

The situation took place on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, after the Riders were beaten 23-8 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Leonard was selected for random drug testing, but was unable to produce the sample. Leonard said that he finally gave up around 2 a.m. and left the facility.

His departure resulted in an immediate two-game suspension, which was announced on Sept. 10. Six days later, the league announced that another game was added to Leonard's suspension due to the incident.

Leonard can now practise with the Riders, but isn't eligible to return to the field until Oct. 2 when the team will be in Calgary to play the Stampeders.

Under the joint drug policy, failure to supply a sample for drug testing counts as a positive test. The first offence carries a twogame suspension. The second offence is a nine-game suspension, followed by a one-year suspension for a third offence. A fourth positive test results in a lifetime ban.

Each offence includes mandatory drug testing, which Leonard welcomes.

“I literally have nothing to hide,” Leonard, 29, said. “I'm willing to co-operate with the league for the rest of my career. If I have to take a test every week, then I'm willing to do what it takes.”

There has been speculation among the media that Leonard's actions warranted additional discipline from the team. Riders head coach Craig Dickenson felt Leonard has been through enough.

“He has done a nice job of taking accountability and responsibility for a poor decision,” Dickenson said. “He has expressed remorse and apologized to the people that he needs to.

“I'm proud of him. Now we've just got to get him practising again so he can play.”