Defensive lineman Sean Oakman was suspended indefinitely for violating the Canadian Football League's gender-based violence and harassment policy, prompting the Montreal Alouettes to release him Friday night.
According to a press release, the league was informed of the allegations against Oakman on Thursday and immediately launched an independent investigation that included interviews with the six-foot-eight, 280-pound defenseman and the plaintiff.
According to the league, the investigation revealed that Oakman allegedly threatened to send sexually explicit materials to the minor child of his intimate partner. His actions violated the league's policies on gender-based violence and harassment.
“The Canadian Football League takes violations of our gender-based violence and harassment policies seriously. Our policies are clear and our commitment to upholding them is unwavering. Following a review, we have decided to suspend Mr. Oakman indefinitely,” CFL Commissioner Stuart Johnston said in a statement.
The League said it condemns gender-based violence in all forms, including but not limited to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment and verbal abuse, coercive control, and disrespectful and demeaning attitudes that promote or tolerate violence. Whether such behavior occurs in public or private, CFL will not tolerate gender-based violence.
Oakman was signed by the Alouettes as a free agent in February, although Montreal decided to release the veteran following the league's decision to suspend him.
“We hold everyone in our organization to the highest standards of integrity and respect, both on and off the field,” general manager Danny Maccioscia said in a statement. “We have decided to release Sean Oakman because his actions are contrary to our core values.”
Over 76 games in his CFL career, the 33-year-old has recorded 156 defensive tackles, 27 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception and one special teams tackle. Oakman won a Gray Cup with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022. He was a three-time All-Star in the Eastern Division and earned one All-CFL honor.
While in the NCAA, Oakman was kicked off the Penn State University football team for violating team rules. He was also accused of sexually assaulting a Baylor University student in 2016 in a case that went to trial. Oakman was found not guilty in February 2019..
