2 Saskatoon Hilltops players suspended after teammate taped to pole loses consciousness

Two Saskatoon Hilltops football players have been suspended indefinitely after taping a teammate to a pole, leading him to lose consciousness.

The Canadian Junior Football League team's official account is that in mid-October, aplayer made a "tasteless" joke thatled to two teammates tapinghim to thepole in the Hilltops locker-room.

The player was fine and able to return to the football field. He was later taken to hospital as a precaution and released.

The Hilltops refuse to call the incident hazing.

"When I first got abreast of the situation, I was extremely disappointed," said head coach TomSargeant.

Since the incident, the team has worked with the three players, their families and police to ensure the situation was dealt with swiftly.

"I do think that it has brought the team closer together," said ChrisHengen-Braun, an executive board member and spokesman.

Sargeant added that players need to understand accountability, "where respect is earned and where it needs to be."

Police say they are aware of the incident but they have no plans to investigate. They would, however, consider it if the victim comes forward with a complaint.

Big upcoming game

The Hilltops are preparingto play in their third consecutive Canadian Bowl, in Victoria on Nov. 12, after beating the Calgary Colts in the CJFL's Prairie Football Conference final last weekend.

The team seems uncertain whether the suspended players will participate.

"I just don't feel comfortable answering that question," Sargeant said.

He added that he can't see them playing, repeatingthey are indefinitely suspended.