‘We’re not going to give up on him’: Dickenson reacts to Marino suspension

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson believes a message has been sent with Garrett Marino’s four-game suspension.

On Monday, it was announced the Roughriders’ defensive tackle had been handed the longest suspension the CFL has ever levied for on-field behaviour — two games for a low hit that injured Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, one game for an illegal tackle on an Ottawa offensive lineman, and one game for comments made about Masoli’s heritage.

Marino was ejected after the hit on Masoli during Saskatchewan’s 28-13 victory Saturday and, while heading to the locker room, held up his helmet and celebrated.

“We won’t put up with it again. (Marino) knows this can’t ever happen again, and our players know that as well. It’s a bad mark for the league, it’s not good for our organization and it’s not good for the guys involved,” Dickenson said Tuesday.

“It’s unprecedented. I think for what he did on the field it’s a little harsh, but his reaction and the way he acted when he left, he knows that was a big mistake.

“He knows that’s something we don’t condone around here nor do we want to encourage.”

One part of the suspension that Dickenson wasn’t in favour of was the one game for the comments Marino allegedly made.

“That may be a bit of a reach,” Dickenson said. “I’ll let the league figure that out. I’ll let the player talk to the (CFL Players’ Association) and decide if he wants to appeal that part of the suspension. It’s up to him to do what he wants to do. We support him if he wants to do it and we support him if he wants to accept it.

“I don’t think Garrett is a racist. I know Garrett personally. I know how much he’s grown in the last year. We’re not going to turn our backs on a guy who has shown that much growth in a short amount of time.

“Last year, he was rough around the edges. This year, he still is, but it’s been a transformation in terms of his reacting to what others do and say on the field and also in the locker room. He’s very popular in the locker room and I think the guys really respect him and want to have his back on this.”

Marino has appeared in only 12 CFL career games, but he now has been suspended for four games, ejected twice and fined twice for his style of play.

Dickenson said there was never a thought given to cutting Marino due to his actions.

“We’re not going to give up on him. Everyone makes mistakes and, goodness gracious, it would be rough if we all were judged on our worst moment. We hopefully won’t judge him forever on a situation where he got out of control and his emotions got the best of him,” Dickenson said.

“It was definitely despicable and we don’t want anything to do with that ever again. We’re not going to give up on him for that one incident. We’re going to try our best to help him and help him learn from it.”

Dickenson said even if Marino does appeal, the team will sit him this week as punishment. The Riders are in action against the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday in the Touchdown Atlantic game in Wolfville, N.S.

Kickoff for the game is set for noon. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 10 a.m.

Notes: Dickenson said defensive end Pete Robertson, who was injured on a late hit by an Ottawa offensive lineman, will be out for the next four to six weeks. Dickenson said the Roughriders don’t believe Robertson’s ankle is broken, but it is a serious sprain … Wide receiver Mitch Picton (ankle) is questionable for this week after also getting hurt against the Redblacks … Kyran Moore (knee) joined the Roughriders in a limited fashion for practice Tuesday. Moore is in the sixth week of his stint on the six-game injured list. Dickenson thinks Moore could be available after the Riders’ bye week, which is Aug. 1-5.