CFL fines Montreal Alouettes kicker Sean Whyte for criticizing official

TORONTO – Montreal Alouettes kicker Sean Whyte was fined by the CFL on Wednesday for criticizing an official following a loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton defeated Montreal 27-24 last weekend thanks to Brandon Banks’ 107-yard return of an errant Whyte field goal attempt. After the game, Whyte criticized referee Andre Proulx.

“I wanted to say something,” Whyte said. “I’m probably going to get fined for this.

“I’m sick of this. This guy (Proulx) is going to end my career one day.”

Montreal led 23-20 with roughly four minutes remaining to play when Whyte lined up a 42-yard field goal. Whyte’s try was short and Banks’ return provided the Ticats with their winning margin.

Hamilton’s Rico Murray came in contact with Whyte’s knee on the try but, no flag was thrown.

“After the kick, he hit me. My leg was still on the way up,” Whyte said. “He (Proulx) didn’t want to call it. He never calls it. Paul McCallum got hit a couple of weeks ago, they didn’t call it. They call everything on a quarterback. Why aren’t you calling these things on kickers?

“The guy hit me on the knee. That could end my career.”

With the win, Hamilton (9-8) clinched second in the East Division to host Montreal (7-10) in the conference semifinal Nov. 10 in Guelph, Ont.

In keeping with its policy, the CFL didn’t divulge the amount of the fine.