TORONTO – The CFL has launched a review to determine the possible reinstatement of suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly.
The league announced Saturday that it had received Kelly’s confidential psychological evaluation, which was required as part of his May 7 suspension, and that it would review the results with the help of experts before making a decision.
Kelly was suspended for Toronto’s two tryouts and at least the first nine games of the regular season for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.
The incident followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former conditioning coach against both Kelly and the club.
The Argonauts played their ninth game of the regular season on Friday night and won 39-25 against the Calgary Stampeders.
Kelly, the league’s most outstanding player last season, was required to undergo confidential evaluations by an independent expert and attend mandatory counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert, both of which had to be completed to the satisfaction of the CFL, which could reinstate Kelly but also modify the disciplinary measures.
“Yeeeeees sir!!! Thank you sir!” Kelly posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday morning.
The former coach filed a complaint with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, accusing Kelly of repeated harassment that began with unwanted romantic advances and escalated into instances of threats.
The coach said the Argos did not react when they learned of Kelly’s behaviour and that she was informed in January that her contract with the club would not be renewed.
The complainant had joined the franchise in 2018 and stated that her contract had previously been renewed repeatedly.
Two league sources told The Canadian Press in June that the lawsuit had been settled through mediation involving all parties. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the agreement reached.
There were also no indications of concrete details of the agreement.
The coach sought $80,000 from Kelly and a total of $85,714 from the Argos. TSN also reported that the coach also sought an additional $10,000 in punitive damages.
The Canadian Press does not publish the names of alleged victims of harassment or sexual abuse without permission.
Shortly after the CFL announced the suspension, Kelly was on the field during Toronto’s rookie training camp at the University of Guelph. He had no equipment and was not training with the club.
On May 16, Kelly announced his withdrawal from the Toronto camp, adding that he would “take full advantage of this counseling opportunity to learn, grow and improve myself.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 10, 2024.
