CFL Suspends Former Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly A Minimum Of Nine Games For Breaking 'Gender Based Violence Policy'

Former Ole Miss and current Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly has been suspended nine games by the Canadian Football League for violating its ‘gender based violence’ policy. 

All of this comes on the heels of a third-party investigation into allegations made by a former assistant strength coach that came to light this past February. The former coach is suing Toronto for unlawful termination, along with suing Kelly for sexual harassment during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 

Kelly is the league's reigning most outstanding player, but has been mired in controversy since the lawsuit was first brought to the courts. The plaintiff alleges that Kelly "repeatedly sought to initiate romantic connections" during the two seasons, and the plaintiff was allegedly fired after she brought the allegations to the team. 

"Players are the ambassadors of our great game, "CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement on Tuesday. "They are expected to be leaders in the locker room and role models in the community. It was important that we performed our due diligence to properly review this matter from all points of view. 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 behavior. The addition of mandatory counselling focuses on his need for self-reflection and understanding of his actions. He must take full advantage of this opportunity for personal betterment in order to return to the CFL." 

He will have to undergo mandatory counseling, with the league having the ability to reevaluate his suspension once the process is complete. 

Chad Kelly has been suspended a minimum of nine games by the CFL(R.J.Johnston/Toronto Star)          (R.J. Johnston Toronto Star/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

In his defense, Chad Kelly has denied the allegations that have been levied against him, saying that the plaintiff "advanced these spurious claims against him purely to draw the attention of the media to what was otherwise a very routine termination situation." Kelly has denied the accusations in a court filing, but the independent investigation determined that there was enough evidence against him to suspend him under the CFL's conduct policy. 

Toronto has said that they had no knowledge of any type of behavior from Kelly that would violate league, or team policy. Chad Kelly is the nephew of former Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly and became a hot-button topic during his time at Ole Miss, both on-field, and off-field. 

The former Ole Miss quarterback was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. After spending time trying to make it in the league, he started playing in Canada, where his stock skyrocketed during the 2022 Grey Cup, when he came off the bench to lead Toronto to the win. 

In the following season, Kelly earned himself a new contract after a successful season with the Argonauts that saw him pass for 4,123 yards and 23 touchdowns, making him the highest paid player in the league. 

Now, with him being suspended for nine games in the upcoming season, Kelly will have to fight these accusations in a courtroom, while also trying to continue playing football down the road.