SportsFootball

Bizarre CFL play has fans calling for change to outrageous rule

Preston Hodgkinson
Preston Hodgkinson
|
Sep 13 2026, 4:45 pm
Bizarre CFL play has fans calling for change to outrageous rule
TSN

Is it time for the CFL to finally change one of its most controversial rules?

That conversation is raging among CFL fans this weekend following a bizarre play during Saturday’s game between the Montreal Alouettes and BC Lions. At 2nd and 20 in the dying minutes of the first half, Alouettes QB Davis Alexander found wide receiver Cole Spieker, who caught the ball, punted it a few inches over the line of scrimmage, and then recovered it.

Officials originally called it an incomplete pass, but the Alouettes challenged the play, saying it was complete and that Spieker intentionally kicked the ball. The refs got together and determined that the Alouettes would be awarded a first down on the play.

It was another example of the infamous onside punt rule.

The rule in question states that the kicker is allowed to recover their own kick across the line of scrimmage, awarding their team a first down regardless of how many yards it travelled. It’s a controversial rule, to say the least, and this isn’t the first time that the Alouettes have taken advantage of the loophole.

Back during the 2023 season, Montreal exploited this rule on two separate occasions, sparking controversy and showing just how big the divide is between the CFL and NFL games.

 

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Plenty of fans took to social media after the play to call for the CFL to remove the rule and prevent this play from happening again in the future.

“Why does this rule exist? It’s so stupid,” said one disgruntled CFL fan.

“This rule is why people find the CFL to be unwatchable,” said another angry fan

“Bush league play. I don’t care if it’s within the rules. Clean it up. Get rid of it,” said another fan.

“This makes the CFL look so Mickey Mouse,” wrote a disappointed fan

“That’s an embarrassment to the game,” wrote another passionate fan

The play may have helped the Alouettes in the moment, but it didn’t help Montreal get the win, as the Lions went on to secure a 48-29 victory.

Getting this rule changed would come down to whether or not CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston thinks it’s worthwhile. The 55-year-old commissioner hasn’t shied away from making big changes to the Canadian game.

Just last year, he introduced a series of NFL-style changes that are set to come into effect next season. Among those changes are shrinking the field from 110 yards to 100 yards and moving the goal posts from the goal line to the back of the end zone.

Those were controversial changes, but it seems like getting rid of this onside punt rule would be a very welcome change among the CFL faithful.

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