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CFL suspends Argos star QB Kelly for violating league's gender-based
violence policy
(HTM) Source
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The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at
least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation
into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach
against both the player and club.
According to the CFL, Kelly is also suspended for Toronto's two pre-
season games for violating its gender-based violence policy. Kelly
must undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and
attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based
violence expert.
Both the counselling sessions and assessments must be satisfactorily
completed before the CFL will consider Kelly's reinstatement, the
league added in a statement. Otherwise, it reserves the right to
modify his discipline.
Kelly, 30, was the CFL's outstanding player last season after leading
Toronto to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. But the
Argos' season ended with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup-
champion Montreal in the East Division final.
Kelly's agent, Chris Lambiris, expressed surprise at the suspension
and said that he and his client would explore the appeal process.
"We will continue to do more fact-finding surrounding the decision
before making a more in-depth statement," Lambiris said.
There was no announcement regarding any penalties or sanctions against
the Argos. But the league added their conduct in this matter, as laid
out by the investigators, will be reviewed with the club.
"The club will respectfully abide by the League's decision," the Argos
said in a statement. "The Toronto Argonauts and MLSE share the CFL's
commitment to providing healthy and positive work environments."
The CFL Players' Association was not immediately available for
comment.
## Complainant alleges unwanted romantic advances
The CFL's decision to launch its investigation came after the
complainant filed a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court
of Justice, alleging a pattern of harassment by Kelly, beginning with
unwanted romantic advances and escalating into instances of
threatening language.
The coach said the Argos did not act when told of Kelly's behaviour
and claims assistant general manager John Murphy said she "opened a
can of worms that didn't need to be opened."
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the league's investigation
revealed definite violations of its gender-based violence policy.
"It was important that we performed our due diligence to properly
review this matter from all points of view," Ambrosie said in a
statement. "That in-depth investigation found that Mr. Kelly
unequivocally violated the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
"Mr. Kelly's suspension is the direct result of his behaviour. The
addition of mandatory counselling focuses on his need for self-
reflection and understanding of his actions. He must take full
advantage of this."
## Complainant's contract with team not renewed
The complainant said she was informed in January her contract with the
club would not be renewed. The complainant had joined the franchise in
2018 and said her contract had previously been continually renewed.
The complainant is seeking $80,000 from Kelly and a total of $85,714
from the Argos. The Canadian Press does not publish the names of
alleged victims of harassment or sexual assault unless granted
permission.
TSN also reported the complainant is also seeking $10,000 worth of
punitive damages.
The broadcaster also said Kelly recently filed his defence in the
lawsuit and denied making "any romantic or sexual overtures" towards
the plaintiff, including workplace sexual harassment.
Kelly stated the complainant "advanced these spurious claims against
him purely to draw the attention of the media to what was otherwise a
very routine termination situation."
In their defence filing, the Argos claimed they had "no knowledge" of
any behaviour from Kelly that violated the CFL's gender-based violence
policy or breached the Ontario Human Rights Code. The team also
claimed its conduct with the plaintiff was "all times fair,
reasonable, lawful and undertaken in good faith."
Kelly, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., signed a three-year, $1.85-million
extension with Toronto last season that made him the league's highest-
paid player. This off-season, though, Kelly restructured his contract
with the team.
The CFLs announcement comes with CFL rookie camps slated to open
Wednesday. It's unclear if Kelly will be in attendance at the Argos'
camp, which is being held at the University of Guelph.
With Kelly starting 16 of Toronto's 18-regular-season games in 2023,
first-year backups Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott both played
sparingly. Dukes made two starts, completing 63-of-96 passes for 760
yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing 35
times for 126 yards and eight TDs.
Scott didn't complete any of the four passes he attempted last season.
The CFL's suspension of Kelly comes roughly two weeks after it handed
retired defensive lineman Shawn Lemon an indefinite ban for betting on
league games in 2021, including one he played in.
Defensive back Chris Edwards, then of the Argos, was suspended for six
games following the '21 season for his role in an altercation with a
fan following the East Division final. But it was reduced to three
games.
Following last season, Edwards, then with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats,
received a three-game suspension for striking opponents and inciting a
non-football altercation during the East Division semifinal. Edwards
retired in February.
In 2022, Saskatchewan defensive lineman Garrett Marino received a
four-game ban from three separate suspensions following his actions in
a game versus the Ottawa Redblacks. The penalty was the league's most
severe total discipline ever implemented for in-game behaviour during
one contest.
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