DEONTAI WILLIAMS SANCTIONED AFTER EJECTION FROM CLF FOLLOWING KALIL PIMPLETON TACKLE INCIDENT
Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Deontai Williams expressed regret over his ejection during his team’s 29-16 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks after a controversial tackle on receiver Kalil Pimpleton. With just six seconds left in the game, Williams was flagged for a 25-yard penalty and ejected for picking up Pimpleton and slamming him headfirst into the ground.
Following the incident, Williams met with the CFL on Tuesday as the league deliberates on a possible suspension or fine. In a statement, Williams acknowledged his regret and apologized to Pimpleton, revealing that the two had exchanged messages about the play.
“I told [the league] I regret my decision and I apologized to Pimpleton,” Williams said. “We emailed and talked about it. I told him I’m never the guy to get in the way of someone trying to feed their family.”
Williams explained that the incident was a result of an unfortunate angle during the tackle, which caused Pimpleton to land awkwardly on his neck. He appreciated that Pimpleton was open to the apology, noting, “For him to forgive me and give me a Bible verse after, that speaks a lot on him and how great of a man he is.”
While exiting the field, Williams was seen gesturing to the crowd, a moment that brought back memories of Garrett Marino’s ejection in 2022 after injuring Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Williams clarified that his actions were not in response to the tackle, but rather to celebrate his team’s recent turnaround.
“Pumping up the crowd was because we got the win,” Williams said. “We are 2-0 after the winless streak, so that was the reason.”
Head coach Corey Mace addressed the incident with Williams, reminding him to be more mindful in future situations. “You hurt yourself, kid. You have to be smarter than that,” Mace reportedly told Williams. “We don’t teach that type of tackling, but I know your intention was never to hurt Pimpleton.”
Mace also emphasized to the team the importance of handling such situations with more composure. “Another opportunity for us to learn… and just learning to win with a little more class,” Mace said.
Whether Williams will play in the next game remains uncertain as the CFL reviews the situation. The timing is particularly sensitive for Williams, who turns 28 on October 4. Despite receiving threats from fans, he remains hopeful about playing during his birthday week. “If I play, I play. If I don’t, it is what it is. I regret my decision.”
Injury updates for the Roughriders included wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (knee), running back Ryquell Armstead (shoulder), and defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado (knee), all of whom missed practice. Punter Adam Korsak (hamstring) and offensive guard Jacob Brammer (knee) were also absent, while receiver Mitch Picton (ankle) was limited in practice but is expected to return soon.
