Riders defensive lineman A.C Leonard was very apologetic as he spoke with reporters Tuesday afternoon about the three-game suspension he received for not being able to provide a urine sample following the team’s loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic and the abusiveness he had towards the person trying to collect that sample.

While not wanting to discuss the incident itself, Leonard says it is something he feels terrible about and is something for which he is apologizing saying this is unlike him.

” These last couple of weeks have been really hard on me. I want to apologize to my teammates. I want to apologize to my family for bringing all this negative press on, and I apologize to Rider Nation because I didn’t mean for this to happen.” a remorseful Leonard said. ” I want to apologize to my coaches and say how appreciative I am for them standing behind me through the whole situation.  That’s not who I am as a person and that’s not my character.”

He is also thankful that the team has had his back throughout this situation especially when some believe he should have been released.

“It means a lot to me.” Leonard said. “I was down on myself after this happened so to have the coaches and my teammates have my back and are telling me that we will get through this is very encouraging,”

Leonard will not play Friday in a battle of 4-2 teams as the Riders are in B.C to play the Lions as he is serving the final game of his suspension.

620 CKRM has the game for you starting with the pre-game show at 5:30 followed by Derek Taylor and Luc Mullinder with the play-by-play at 8:30.