Toronto Argonauts Under Scrutiny as CFL Investigates Chad Kelly Accusations
The CFL's investigation into a lawsuit issued by a former assistant coach against the Argos and Chad Kelly for wrongful dismissal and violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code is also under the same scrutiny the team faces.
As first reported by TSN's Rick Westhead, the legal claim against Toronto and Chad Kelly alleges that the CFL's highest-paid athlete and reigning Most Outstanding Player harassed a strength and conditioning coach and that the team fired her after she rejected his advances.
The coach, who worked for the Argos from 2018 until Jan. 29, 2024, alleges in her legal claim that throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Kelly repeatedly sought to initiate romantic connections even after she politely refused. And that the refusals led to continual harassment, resulting in the loss of her job.
She filed the lawsuit on Feb. 21 in Toronto's Ontario Superior Court. The former Argos assistant is suing Kelly for $80,000 on alleged violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Argos for $85,714, claiming wrongful dismissal.
She was hired by the Argos in May 2018 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, becoming the team's first woman to be hired in that role. A role that saw her paid roughly $25,000 per year, plus benefits.
The former employee alleges that the Argonauts condoned Kelly's harassment and that the team breached the CFL violence against women policy by not submitting a critical incident report to the league's head office.
The only comment to this point about the legal claim by the Argonauts has come from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment spokesperson Dave Haggith.
“The club is aware of a legal claim made by a former employee against the team and Mr. Kelly,” "The organization will not comment on private personnel matters or ongoing litigation but is steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive work environment.”
The CFL released the following statement regarding the allegations surrounding the Argonauts and Kelly.
"The CFL is committed to creating healthy and positive working and playing environments for all those associated with the league and its member clubs. We take the allegations against the Toronto Argonauts and Mr. Kelly very seriously, and we have opened an investigation in accordance with the league's Gender-based Violence Policy. Out of respect for this process and all the parties involved, we will not be able to provide further comment until our investigation has been completed."
The allegations have cast a cloud over Kelly, but that's all they are at this point. Toronto has experience in similar matters.
The Argonauts have an All-Star, Shawn Oakman, who saw his collegiate and pro career crippled due to allegations of sexual assault. Oakman was eventually found not guilty. He was able to resurrect his once-promising career in the CFL.
Another recent example is San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, who the Buffalo Bills drafted in 2022.
As a rookie, Araiza lost his spot in the NFL after allegations involving a minor. He was eventually cleared and recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after missing two seasons.
Kelly is in the same boat that Oakman and Araiza have inhabited.
It doesn't help that the former Ole Miss standout has a checkered history that led him to career redemption in the CFL with Toronto.
The legal filing against Kelly and the Argonauts is not a criminal matter. However, if any of the allegations are true, Kelly and Argos will likely be held accountable for their actions and, in this case, inactions.
The ball is in the CFL's court to conduct a genuine investigation into Kelly and the Argonauts. The same goes for MLSE.
Kelly's playing status in 2024 and beyond hangs in the balance.
* Update: A day after this article was published. Chad Kelly used social media to make his first public comments on the allegations that have been levied against him.
"I am shocked by the allegations which have been made against me. I absolutely deny these events and intend to vigorously defend myself and will be seeking the dismissal of the action."
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.