CFL player has HIV; charged with sexual assault

Here at Canadian Corner, I hate to keep mentioning the CFL, but the issue over Trevis Smith has been getting a lot of press in the U.S.

To give you some background, Smith is a linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Smith was arrested and charged on Oct. 28 in Regina, Saskatchewan. The charge of aggravated sexual assault stems from an alleged incident where Smith reportedly had sex with a woman, whom he did not inform of his status.

Smith, who was the team's starting middle linebacker, has been on the Roughriders' disabled list after the arrest and hasn't played since. The team's season ended Sunday with a 30-14 playoff loss to Montreal.

Smith was freed on bail and ordered by a judge Nov. 2 to practice safe sex, tell all future partners he's HIV positive and surrender his passport. Smith denies the charges and will plead not guilty, said his lawyer, Paul Harasen.

The Canadian Public Health Association is offering information packets to all nine CFL teams to help educate players and management about HIV and AIDS.

Smith, 29, has been with the Roughriders the past seven seasons. He is married and has two children.

Though Smith has not played since then, the reaction on the field by opponents has been encouarging as far as him playing. There didn't seem to be concerned over possibly contacting it from him. Now that Saskatchewan has been knocked out of the playoffs, that is a moot point for the moment.

There has also been an issue over "groupies" and CFL players, with perhaps a new awareness over safety issues. Until we know a lot more, understanding all the delicate issues will take a lot of time.