The Canadian Football League Players' Association is calling on new Edmonton Elks general manager Ed Hervey to retract an eyebrow-raising statement from earlier this week.
The CFLPA put out a statement on Friday about Hervey's comments from earlier this week, reported by 3DownNation, about former Elks receiver Eugene Lewis.
In a radio interview after signing with the Ottawa Redblacks, Lewis expressed disappointment about having no talks with Hervey in free agency, adding he felt he was a "superstar in this league."
This week, Hervey addressed those comments.
“I don’t know any superstar players in the CFL,” Hervey said. “If guys feel they’re a superstar, fantastic. I’m not really into guys’ personal feelings about themselves. That’s not where I go. That’s not the road I go down.”
The CFLPA is not happy with Hervey's words.
"Mr. Hervey’s comments were insulting and ignorant. He disparaged every single one of our members, and our entire league when he stated that the CFL has no superstar players.
"We call on Mr. Hervey to retract his statement and acknowledge the immense value and skill that CFL players bring to the sport. The CFL is home to some of the most dynamic athletes in professional football, and it is time to show respect for their contributions both on and off the field.”
Hervey was hired as Elks GM for the second time this off-season after three years in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats front office. He takes over a team that has missed the playoffs the past four years.
Lewis was sixth in the league with 1,070 receiving yards last season. He was third in receiving yards in 2021 and '22 with the Montreal Alouettes.
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