Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Teague Sherman has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and was released by the CFL team just two days after turning himself in to police, this newspaper has learned.
Sherman, 30, was told by Ottawa police sexual assault and child abuse detectives to turn himself in last week.
The allegations against him date back to November 2017, when police began investigating a sexual assault complaint made against Sherman involving three female complainants. Sherman has since been charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Police charged him Thursday but did not detain him. He was released by police on a promise to appear in court on Aug. 2.
Sherman was listed in the Redblacks’ lineup for last Thursday night’s home game against the Calgary Stampeders. He was pulled from that lineup an hour before game time and did not play.
The Redblacks announced Saturday that they had released Sherman. They have since added defensive back Mikaël Charland to the practice roster. The organization gave no reason for the roster change at the time.
In a statement to this newspaper, the Ottawa Redblacks said they “are aware of the sexual assault charges filed against Teague Sherman and the player has been released.”
“We take any allegation of violence against women very seriously and the Redblacks will have no further comment on Mr. Sherman’s case since he is no longer on the team and his case is now in the judicial process.”
In a statement, the CFL said it was “aware that sexual assault charges have been filed against Teague Sherman,” and that for the time being he would not be able to play for any other teams in the league, either.
“Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has informed all member clubs that the league will not register a contract for Sherman should any team attempt to sign him,” read a league statement. “The Canadian Football League has and abides by a policy on violence against women and condemns violence against women in all its forms.”
The Canadian Football League Players’ Union did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Wednesday, and had not publicly responded to the league’s statement.
The CFL has exercised disciplinary action in cases of sexual assault in the past. In March, the league and the B.C. Lions nullified the contract of defensive lineman Euclid Cummings after it was revealed that he was facing multiple sexual assault charges in a Vancouver court. His contract was voided per provisions in the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The agreement also allows the league or the players’ union to refuse to register a contract.
Sherman’s defence lawyer, Sean May, told this newspaper that neither he nor his client would be commenting on the charges.
Sherman, an Edmonton native who played college football with the University of Manitoba Bisons, also played four seasons with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2013 to 2016 before signing with the Redblacks for the 2017 season.
The Redblacks gave Sherman a look last season, signing him in September. He played three games this season, and two for the Redblacks in the 2017 season, which culminated in Ottawa hosting the league’s Grey Cup on Nov. 26.
In 2015, the Redblacks signed rookie quarterback Jordan Johnson who was acquitted of sexual assault in Missouri. The team, at the time, said they did extensive character reference checks and that the charges against him were determined to be unfounded.
The allegations against Sherman have not been tested in court.
The CFL has had a policy regarding violence against women since 2015.
“Whether there is ‘proof’ of an allegation or not, no report will be ignored,” reads the policy. “Every situation will be assessed, with experts called in when necessary, and help will always be offered.”
The policy does not lay out specific responses to allegations of sexual assault. It does say the league will impose sanctions on players “in cases where there are clear and documented cases of violence against women.”
“Sanctions will range from suspension for single or multiple games to a lifetime ban from the CFL, depending on the severity and number of incidences,” reads the policy.
— With files from Kieran Delamont
