Former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end Odell Willis celebrate a sackLiam Richards/The Canadian Press
The CFL fined the Edmonton Eskimos $10,000 on Wednesday for violating its tampering rules when signing free agent defensive lineman Odell Willis.
Edmonton was the first team to announce a signing following the start of CFL free agency Feb. 15. Trouble was, the Eskimos made the announcement of its multi-year deal with Willis mere minutes after the noon ET deadline.
The six-foot-two, 255-pound Willis signed with Edmonton after registering six sacks last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"We respect the position taken by the Canadian Football League and commissioner Mark Cohon," Eskimos president Len Rhodes said in a statement. "As a result we feel that no other public comment is necessary nor will it be forthcoming from the Eskimo organization."