Employee Alleged Harassment Case - Chad Kelly

[paulwoods13]

Surely all of this can be contained within a single thread? (Such as the one that has existed since the allegations first surfaced.)

[ArgoRavi]

With Kelly suspended for at least nine games, who will be the first string QB? Will the Argos go with Duke or look or trade for a more experienced QB?

Be prepared to go with Dukes and Scott and maybe make inquiries into Nathan Rourke's availability (not that I expect anything much to come of that). I can't see a veteran QB that is available that would be an upgrade on Dukes at least. Dukes seems capable of winning games in Kelly's absence (permanent or temporary, who knows?).

[ArgoRavi]

Nine games, minimum.

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/07/c...of-nine-games/

Am I shocked? No, given Kelly's well-documented immaturity, which I had hoped he had gotten over last year.

Obviously, the investigation found that he did something serious in the workplace, although we don't know the exact transgression(s). Can Kelly learn from this, grow up and have a solid career in this league? Will the Argos give him that opportunity? Time will tell on all of that.

I will add that I feel badly for the complainant, who has been vindicated at least to some degree here, and was a valuable member of the "Argo family" for the past 5 years. I hope that she can have success in her future endeavours.

[paulwoods13]

Can Kelly learn from this, grow up and have a solid career in this league?

Extremely doubtful, IMO.

Will the Argos give him that opportunity?

I sincerely hope not. It's time to cut ties with him, write off the $300k bonus he received and re-establish the kind of culture that Pinball touted when he became GM. If that means taking some lumps on the field this year, so be it.

["Issues"Mcgee]

If Kelly did what the plaintiff is alleging, then I am all for a suitable punishment.

What happens if the allegations are proven false in court?

[kellynjk]

Extremely doubtful, IMO.



I sincerely hope not. It's time to cut ties with him, write off the $300k bonus he received and re-establish the kind of culture that Pinball touted when he became GM. If that means taking some lumps on the field this year, so be it.

I agree Paul - obviously the CFL review found something pretty serious in their review to warrant a 9 game suspension etc. And Kelly has shown immaturity and bad judgement on more than one occasion. I think Argos should cut ties with him and also the CFL.

[Rich]

It’s pretty safe to assume now that one or more persons inside the organization corroborated the complainant’s claims. Bad for the Argos in the short term, but good for the honour and integrity of this team going forward. We should all be proud of this/these unnamed hero/heroes.

[Rich]

I agree Paul - obviously the CFL review found something pretty serious in their review to warrant a 9 game suspension etc. And Kelly has shown immaturity and bad judgement on more than one occasion. I think Argos should cut ties with him and also the CFL.

I disagree. Let him pay his dues and return a better person. Everyone loves a redemption story.

[kellynjk]

I disagree. Let him pay his dues and return a better person. Everyone loves a redemption story.

Well Kelly doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes as his past behaviour proves. The man is almost 30 years old and obviously very immature. I think he will just continue to be a headache for Argos if he stays and they don't need that. As an Argo fan, I would like to see the organization distance themselves from him as I don't want him as the face of the Argos and don't think he represents the team in a positive way.

[OV Argo]

I disagree. Let him pay his dues and return a better person. Everyone loves a redemption story.

I'd be A-ok with that IF he offers a public apology - to the harassed employee and to the Argos and all CFL fans, and admits he needs help and is seeking it.

[Mocha]

Be prepared to go with Dukes and Scott and maybe make inquiries into Nathan Rourke's availability (not that I expect anything much to come of that). I can't see a veteran QB that is available that would be an upgrade on Dukes at least. Dukes seems capable of winning games in Kelly's absence (permanent or temporary, who knows?).

I agree. Go with Dukes and Scott . . . and the best of any other arms brought into camp. But also keep an eye on other teams' TC rosters and cuts, and listen to any offers. There's no guarantee that Kelly will ever be back.

[Rich]

I'd be A-ok with that IF he offers a public apology - to the harassed employee and to the Argos and all CFL fans, and admits he needs help and is seeking it.

It’s entirely possible he never got the mental health supports he’s needed his whole life. I think he is deserving of some sympathy along with the complainant. Mental health issues can devastate lives. We should all be hoping he gets the help he needs to become a better person.

[kellynjk]

I do hope he gets the health he obviously needs, I just don't think he should be a member of the Argos as he does so.

[Will]

Surely all of this can be contained within a single thread? (Such as the one that has existed since the allegations first surfaced.)

Sure, however I cannot be on the site at all times to merge right away.

[Will]

The investigation evidently found something that prompted the suspension. The report is apparently 87 pages long, and, we'll never see it, but I would assume Argos and Kelly get a copy.

[Will]

It’s pretty safe to assume now that one or more persons inside the organization corroborated the complainant’s claims. Bad for the Argos in the short term, but good for the honour and integrity of this team going forward. We should all be proud of this/these unnamed hero/heroes.

I believe this as well, and I have a gut as to who some of those people might be, but will keep it to myself.

[paulwoods13]

I disagree. Let him pay his dues and return a better person. Everyone loves a redemption story.

Speaking only for myself, I want no part of this guy on the field or even around the team. Redemption stories are a nice concept in theory, and sometimes they actually happen. But I have no faith in Kelly redeeming himself and becoming a genuinely changed person. I cannot envisage myself in the stands cheering with him at the controls. Maybe time will soften my attitude, but I doubt it.

[paulwoods13]

Sure, however I cannot be on the site at all times to merge right away.

Understood. The comment was not aimed at mods but at those who create multiple threads on the same subject.

["Issues"Mcgee]

I'm only asking because Shawn Oakman lost his NFL opportunity on allegations that were proven false in court.

I would like to see some evidence.

[kellynjk]

Speaking only for myself, I want no part of this guy on the field or even around the team. Redemption stories are a nice concept in theory, and sometimes they actually happen. But I have no faith in Kelly redeeming himself and becoming a genuinely changed person. I cannot envisage myself in the stands cheering with him at the controls. Maybe time will soften my attitude, but I doubt it.

I feel exactly the same way. I have been a life long Argos fan and I have loved the way that the powers that be have built the organization over the decades and the positive influence they have on the community. I watched TSN at 6 p.m. and Dave Naylor said that the CFL hired an outside expert and gave him all the time he needed. They said there is unequivocal evidence that Kelly violated the league's gender-based violence policy. That is serious and needs to be taken seriously and I think that means the Argos cutting ties with Kelly.

For me personally, I think Kelly's ego, his sense of entitlement, and lack of emotional maturity will not allow him to go through the necessary steps & level of contrition required to be reinstated. With his behaviour I think he has forfeited his right to be part of this great organization.