Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Odell Willis hams it up for the cameras during his teams walk through during Grey Cup weekend in Vancouver B.C. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.The Bombers will face off against the B.C. Lions during the the 99th Grey Cup Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteNathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Here's another fine mess Odell Willis has gotten himself into.
One of the CFL's most productive defensive players – and a lightning rod for controversy – Willis has put his career in jeopardy with an impaired driving charge that has his new team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, deciding how next to proceed.
Willis was charged with driving under the influence earlier this week in Atlanta, Ga. The 'Riders, who acquired Willis in a trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last month, issued a short statement saying they were "gathering as much information as possible into the incident" and were "taking this matter very seriously."
The 'Riders gave up two picks in the 2012 CFL draft (a second rounder and a fourth rounder) plus a conditional pick in 2013 for Willis, who had recorded a combined 24 sacks the last two seasons in Winnipeg as a pass rush specialist. Saskatchewan also received a fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft as part of the trade.
Willis had worn out his welcome in Winnipeg with his me-first antics, which included some alienating tweets made in the days leading up to last November's Grey Cup.