Tuesday, December 9, 2008
TORONTO - It's like Plaxico Buress all over again.
Another day, another player getting caught up in things deemed detrimental to the team; only this time it's 2007 First Team All Star Defender Jason Shumski and Pistolas FC.
After playing through injury in most of 2008, Jay Shumski saw his appearances in 2008 dwindle from his ironman efforts of 2007. Finally in late July/early August, Shumski conceeded on advice from the physio that his ankle just wouldn't heal without rest and an all out stoppage of soccer.
But in a last ditch effort to solidify 3rd place, Shumski showed loyalty when he took to the field in the last game of the regular season only to re-injure his ankle, forcing him from the game, and out of the playoffs.
Citing the need for his defence, skill, and stamina, PFC was thankful for his efforts, and told him to rest up over the offseason in time for training camp next spring.
However, just this past weekend, pistolasfc.com learned that Jay Shumski has severely injured his ankle yet again, playing indoor soccer, a move clearly unsanctioned by the team and which clearly violates the terms of his contract. The worst part is, he never even informed the team which seems all a little reminiscent of a certain Monta Ellis of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. In that case, Monta injured himself riding a motorcycle, but wasn't up front with his team because he was in violation of his contract. He later got a team 3 month suspension.
In keeping with precedent of long suspensions set by teams like the Golden State Warriors for violating contracts, pistolasfc.com has learned only minutes ago that Pistolas FC has suspended Jay Shumski for 4 months. The terms of the suspension are effective immediately, and Shumski is expected to return April 8th, just in time for the game tentatively set for BMO Field on April 9th, 2009.
In the meantime, it should give Shumski sufficient time to heal and get the much needed rest to thrive on the field next season.
