Article content

Kent Austin can’t escape the inevitable questions surrounding Johnny Manziel and whether Johnny Football will ever play for the Ticats.

Austin arrives in Banff, Alta., site of the CFL’s annual GMs meetings and the hot-button topic gets immediately raised.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or ZICARELLI: Ticats should be commended for handling of Manziel situation Back to video

To his credit, Austin hasn’t avoided the issue, obliging when the subject gets raised, more than willing to provide whatever is necessary as long as it doesn’t compromise the process.

And there’s where Austin and the Tiger-Cats must be commended, for the the dignity Austin and the franchise have displayed throughout this maelstrom.

Hamilton, which hasn’t won a Grey Cup since 1999 — the longest drought next to Winnipieg (1990) — has a piece that can be turned into a valuable item if the right circumstance presents itself.

With all of the league’s top football officials in Banff, Austin now has a chance to test the waters to see if there’s a suitor for Manziel’s rights.