Jacob Ruby released by Elks over breach of COVID-19 protocols

Source: Edmonton Elks

EDMONTON -

Edmonton's CFL team has let go of a player who it says breached its COVID-19 protocols.

The club announced offensive lineman Jacob Ruby's dismissal Tuesday in a statement.

"The move is part of the club's ongoing commitment to strictly following the CFL's COVID protocols, which are in place to ensure the health and safety of all Tier 1 members and anyone they come in contact with," it read in part.

The team did not clarify what rules Ruby broke and said it wouldn’t be commenting further, however a TSN reporter was told by unnamed sources Ruby lied to the team about being vaccinated. 

According to sources, the @elks release of OL Jacob Ruby for breach of Covid protocol involves him misrepresenting to his team that he was vaccinated.#CFL #Elks

— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) August 31, 2021

CLARIFICATION on Jacob Ruby’s release by @elks. Ruby did repeatedly misrepresent to team he was vaccinated. Club did not demand proof until recently. He could not provide. But he did NOT falsify documents. Apologies that my sources on that detail were incorrect. #elks #CFL

— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) August 31, 2021

Ruby signed with Edmonton in 2017 after entering the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes in 2015.

He did not respond to CTV News Edmonton's request for an interview. 

The CFL Players' Association said it was aware that Ruby had been released but had no further comment.

TEAM ONE DAY AWAY FROM END OF ISOLATION

Tuesday marked the 10th and final day of an isolation period for the Elks' top-tier players, coaches and staff as well as the fifth consecutive day all of the team's COVID-19 tests came back negative. 

"Meaning the club is on track to return to The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium for team activities on Wednesday, September 1," the Elks said in a statement. 

Barring a positive test on Tuesday, the team will reunite on Wednesday for meetings and a walk through and their first practice in about two weeks on Sept. 2. 

The club had more than a dozen cases following a game in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions on Aug. 19.

The Elks are scheduled to play the Calgary Stampeders on Sept. 6 in the Labour Day Classic.  

On Monday, the team updated its COVID-19 guidance for home crowds to require proof of vaccination or a negative test.