Jimenez looking for closure
Courtesy Vancouver Province:
Jason Jimenez was still a contributing member of the Lions as he stood before a couple of hundred school kids Tuesday.
For the gigantic right tackle of the CFL team, that meant participating in the Lions in the House program, extolling the virtues of proper nutrition and fitness to a captive audience of youngsters at Surrey’s Riverdale Elementary.
In a way though, Jimenez remains a Lion in limbo, still unsure how the start of the upcoming season will unfold.
It has been more than four months since he was involved in a blocking incident with Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Anthony Gargiulo that resulted in a one-game suspension levied by commissioner Mark Cohon.
It has been nearly four months since Jimenez was granted an appeal before an arbitrator — which has yet to take place.
It’s justice, CFL style, and without a hearing it remains difficult to gain a sense of closure for a player who has carried his share of remorse about the play.
“I’m sure it’s as tough on me as it is for [Gargiulo], but it’s just the process,” Jimenez shrugged Tuesday. “When they get around to it, I’m more than willing and prepared.”
With the heightened sense of anxiety and controversy removed as a result of the appeal that allowed Jimenez to play in the Nov. 18 West Division final loss against Saskatchewan, the delay has been about foot-dragging but also mere logistics.
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