It’s been said that bad publicity is better than no publicity at all.
Try telling that to the B.C. Lions, now reeling from drug charges against the star running back who was featured in the club’s 2011 promotional advertising.
Yonus Davis is charged in San Jose, Calif. for attempting to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was busted April 9 by a Drug Enforcement Administration agent at his girlfriend’s house in Milipitas.
Agent Trang N. Le’s April 11 affidavit said Davis signed for a Federal Express courier package containing 67 pounds of ecstasy.
"He acknowledged that he was expecting a Federal Express parcel that was supposed to contain approximately 40 "boats" of ecstasy,” said Le’s affidavit, which explained a boat is slang for 1,000 tablets.
"Davis said he brought the ecstasy tablets for $1.50 per tablet and was expecting to earn $20,000 by selling the 40 "boats".
The court filing said Davis admitted he was expecting the parcel and was checking the Federal Express tracking number for its status.
"Yonus Davis said his ecstasy source is a Haitian male adult who goes by the name of Red. Yonus Davis said he had met Red once in downtown Seattle, Wash. a couple of months ago.
"Davis further said that he only sold the ecstasy tablets to his acquaintances."
The document said a criminal record check revealed that Davis "has a criminal history for a probation violation on Sept. 29, 2009, convictions on misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana for sale on Feb. 13 and May 20 in 2008; a charge of battery on spouse and vandalism as a juvenile on May 28, 2002; and a charge of robbery as a juvenile on June 24, 2001."
Court filings claim Davis was paid $43,000 in 2010 when he was a rookie star and runner-up for CFL’s Gibson’s Finest-sponsored special teams player of the year.
Davis averaged 6.3 yards per carry when he rushed 34 times for 213 yards. He scored four touchdowns. A statement by head coach and general manager Wally Buono said Davis “remains part of our football club while the investigation process takes its course and we will not comment further at this time.”
For what it's worth, FedEx competitor Purolator is both the Lions' and the CFL's official courier company. The revelation that Davis was cited for spousal battery comes just over a month since the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development announced a $320,000 no-bid contract for Lions players to conduct Ending the Violence Against Women Initiative workshops for high school football players.
The notice of intent said Lions players “through their accomplishments, community visibility and celebrity status are in a position to positively engage young people and raise their awareness about issues related to harassment and abuse.”
Never in the club's history has the team had such a low-key off-season. The Major League Soccer launch of the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Vancouver Canucks' first overall finish in the National Hockey League regular season have kept the orange and black off the sports pages. Until now.
Yonus Davis, arguably the most-exciting Lion in an otherwise dismal 2010 season, may have played his last game in B.C.
Yonus Davis's indictment
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