Art Briles’ offer from CFL, Tiger-Cats rescinded in less than 12 hours
Due to public backlash, former Baylor coach Art Briles will no longer join the coaching staff of the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Tiger-Cats announced Briles was hired as the team’s assistant offensive coach on Monday, but backtracked their decision less than 12 hours later due to a vehement online reaction.
The Canadian Football League and Hamilton Tiger-Cats released a joint statement on Monday evening announcing the decision to no longer hire Briles.
“Art Briles will no longer be joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a coach,” the statement said. “We came to this decision this evening following a lengthy discussion between the league and the Hamilton organization. We wish Mr. Briles all the best in his future endeavours.”
Briles, 61, was fired from his most recent coaching job at Baylor in May 2016 after failing to follow through with multiple sexual-violence allegations, including several gang rapes, that involved the football team.
Tiger-Cats coach June Jones is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday. Jones, who was hired by the Tiger-Cats on Thursday, coached the Atlanta Falcons form 2004-2006 and played for the Falcons from 1977-1981.
Here’s what Twitter users had to say about Briles’ hiring and firing:
@PenguinOfTroy
— Soren (@SorenJRP) August 29, 2017
dat feel when the CFL blocks Art Briles hiring pic.twitter.com/vb4C2XdeJ4
You can forget about a college program hiring Art Briles. It took 11 hours for the CFL - the CFL! - to get enough backlash to kill the deal
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) August 29, 2017
Dear @Ticats,
— Susan Clairmont (@susanclairmont) August 29, 2017
I easily forgave you for losing. But I cannot forgive you for hiring Art Briles.
We are done.
Susan#HamOnt
Apparently, Art Briles is the only refugee not welcome in Canada.
— Russ Johnson (@RussJohnsonMD) August 29, 2017
Good for those of you who spoke out, and loudly, about Art Briles having no place in Hamilton and the #CFL.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 29, 2017
Your voice had a real impact.
Point goes to social media today for making sure that Art Briles wasn't going to spend another day on the sidelines.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 29, 2017
Y'all acting like Art Briles sexually assaulted somebody. Stop holding him accountable for actions of other men
— Braxton P Hartnabrig (@KdotBrice) August 29, 2017
Feeling bitter over the "how did the hiring process for Art Briles get so far?" obliviousness. Ask any sexual assault survivor ever.
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) August 29, 2017
A sad day for the Ti-Cats franchise and for the Canadian Football League. The end just doesn't justify the means to hire Art Briles. Period.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 28, 2017
Very nice to see the CFL doing the right thing. No Art Briles.
— Johnny Vegas (@johnnyvegasfwb) August 29, 2017
June Jones does not deserve a pass for attempting to bring in his old pal Art Briles. Despicable.
— ***Jeff Benedict*** (@CanBeVexing) August 29, 2017
Wise move, @Ticats: Sure, many deserve "second chances," but sexual violence can only end when leaders stop turning a blind eye like he did. https://t.co/0WRs7mCEBc
— Sarah Boesveld (@sarahboesveld) August 29, 2017
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