Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly has been fined $2,000 by the Canadian Football League for his behaviour during a post-game broadcast on a Winnipeg radio station.
Kelly made a brief appearance on radio station CJOB after taking exception to a discussion about the team's lack of focus.
The conversation had been centred around whether or not the Bombers were already thinking about their next game during their 48-13 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday. Kelly was on the air for a very brief time before saying, "this is media bull****" and getting off the line soon after.
Host Bob Irving and football analyst Mitch Zalnasky called Kelly's behaviour "regrettable and juvenile."
Commissioner Mark Cohon cited Kelly's confrontational language, demeanor and tone, and continued pattern of disrespectful behaviour towards the media, saying it reflects poorly upon the league.
Kelly released a statement early Monday morning apologizing for his actions, and then faced the media later in the day.
''I apologize if people were offended by the language that I used. I will defend my players like a lion protecting its pride,'' Kelly told reporters. ''People (Zalnasky) that don't show up to practice that want to make comments about the efforts that are made by our football team will not be tolerated or accepted. It's that easy.
''If I offended people, I apologize. I am passionate about what we do here, I'm passionate about this football team, I'm passionate about these players. I will defend them until there is not a drop of blood left in my body. We went out there, we played hard, and we didn't get it done.
''Congratulations to Montreal; 9-0 at home is unbelievable, that's a very difficult thing to do. They're a very good football team and we didn't play well enough to beat them. But, don't ever question the effort that's put in by our players, particularly by someone who never comes to practice, and who never sees how our guys operate on a daily basis.''
Kelly then turned his attention to this weeks crutial game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
''I promise you that our guys are going to go out there this week against Hamilton and we are going to play to the utmost of our abilities, and we will prepare this week like no other,'' said Kelley. ''It's a winner-take-all kind of a match, so if professional players can't get excited about playing this game, then I don't know what they're going to get excited for.''
If the Bombers (7-10) defeat the Ticats (8-9) they will clinch second spot in the East Division by virtue of winning the season series. But a loss would knock Winnipeg out of the playoffs because they have fewer points than the fourth-place team in the West Division, which would then be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern conference.
Edmonton and B.C. are tied for third in the West, each with 8-9 records. They square off Friday night at B.C. Place.
However, Hamilton could still lose to Winnipeg and be the East Division's third playoff seed if the Eskimos and Lions don't play to a tie.