Employee Alleged Harassment Case - Chad Kelly

[BATKINSON001]

Another interesting article on this issue.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/br...fed-in-scandal

This was a much better article than the original tsn one or the 3down. It was spaced out better so I could read it easier.

This is definitely going to cost the team some fans, both new and existing.

I had bought a Kelly jersey last year, and now I don't even look forward to wearing it or any of the Argos stuff I have, even the two new light jackets I had just bought.

[kellynjk]

Yes I agree that it's going to hurt the team. Instead of focussing on the team and new acquisitions etc, the focus for the foreseeable future is going to be on this story. Plus I'm sure the Argos were viewing Kelly as a marquee player, someone they could promote out front as the most valuable player last season etc. and now all of that is sabotaged. Even if this get resolved outside of the courts, the media is still going to have questions about what happened etc. for months to come any and every time Kelly is mentioned or interviewed.

The Argos are going to have a hard time making any kind of pitch to MLSE about marketing or promotion for the upcoming season when these are the kind of headlines the team is generating. And while I trust that Kelly is a good athlete on the field, it worries me that we could face more of this nonsense from him off the field and that's not good for the team. The article in the Winnipeg Free Press highlights that Kelly has a history of self-sabotage and immaturity and this recent accusation of sexual harassment makes me think he hasn't learned from his past mistakes or become more mature in the way he handles himself.

[Rich]

Yes I agree that it's going to hurt the team. Instead of focussing on the team and new acquisitions etc, the focus for the foreseeable future is going to be on this story. Plus I'm sure the Argos were viewing Kelly as a marquee player, someone they could promote out front as the most valuable player last season etc. and now all of that is sabotaged. Even if this get resolved outside of the courts, the media is still going to have questions about what happened etc. for months to come any and every time Kelly is mentioned or interviewed.

Except for the fact that the Toronto media pays very little attention to the Argonauts. There has been zero mention of this story on CP24 and CBC Toronto. The Sun and Globe websites buried brief wire story blurbs about it. How can it hurt the team if nobody knows about it?

It reminds me of when Murphy used those egregious slurs a couple of years ago, and everyone here was hand-wringing about how much this was going to hurt the team. In the final analysis it didn’t hurt the team in the slightest, and I think once the lawyers settle things the same will be true of this incident.

[kellynjk]

Well the CBC website has indeed highlighted the story and I saw it on CP24 the day after the TSN article. It has also garnered attention in the media across the country, so I don't think it helps the Argos in the least.

And if the details outlined in the stories (TSN and Winnipeg Free Press) end up being true, I doubt Murphy will be keeping his job. Even if the lawyers settle this (which is quite possible) it has hurt the image of the Argos and definitely that of Kelly. As I noted, I doubt very much that the Argos will be putting Kelly out front at press conferences etc. or promotional events this season.

[Rich]

I have CP24 on all day long at work, and I never saw this story, but whatever. We all know how these things work. Make a big deal about Chad getting sensitivity training. He makes a public mea culpa and they can turn it into a teaching moment. He’ll serve a 2 or 3 game suspension and by midsession all will be forgotten.

[ArgoRavi]

Except for the fact that the Toronto media pays very little attention to the Argonauts. There has been zero mention of this story on CP24 and CBC Toronto. The Sun and Globe websites buried brief wire story blurbs about it. How can it hurt the team if nobody knows about it?

It reminds me of when Murphy used those egregious slurs a couple of years ago, and everyone here was hand-wringing about how much this was going to hurt the team. In the final analysis it didn’t hurt the team in the slightest, and I think once the lawyers settle things the same will be true of this incident.

It took a few days but CTV News has featured it prominently on Saturday, including on their national newscast.

These allegations, I feel, are different and much more damaging. Given that the allegations involve events in the workplace - and let's not forget that the strength and conditioning coach in question was part of the "Argos family" for more than 5 years - I am unsure that this damage can be easily overcome. This franchise, which seemed to be entirely on the right track, now has an enormous amount of work to do to repair its reputation. This feels like a punch to the gut to me.

[paulwoods13]

It took a few days but CTV News has featured it prominently on Saturday, including on their national newscast.

These allegations, I feel, are different and much more damaging. Given that the allegations involve events in the workplace - and let's not forget that the strength and conditioning coach in question was part of the "Argos family" for more than 5 years - I am unsure that this damage can be easily overcome. This franchise, which seemed to be entirely on the right track, now has an enormous amount of work to do to repair its reputation. This feels like a punch to the gut to me.

Very well said, Ravi. I know some very serious, hardcore Argo fans who are really distraught over this.

[kellynjk]

It took a few days but CTV News has featured it prominently on Saturday, including on their national newscast.

These allegations, I feel, are different and much more damaging. Given that the allegations involve events in the workplace - and let's not forget that the strength and conditioning coach in question was part of the "Argos family" for more than 5 years - I am unsure that this damage can be easily overcome. This franchise, which seemed to be entirely on the right track, now has an enormous amount of work to do to repair its reputation. This feels like a punch to the gut to me.

I feel exactly the same way. As others have noted, we'll have to wait to see how all of this plays out, but I think the story has damaged the image of the Argos and I hope it doesn't over-shadow the upcoming season, all the great acquisitions they have made and all the other talented Argo players.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Except for the fact that the Toronto media pays very little attention to the Argonauts. There has been zero mention of this story on CP24 and CBC Toronto. The Sun and Globe websites buried brief wire story blurbs about it. How can it hurt the team if nobody knows about it?

It reminds me of when Murphy used those egregious slurs a couple of years ago, and everyone here was hand-wringing about how much this was going to hurt the team. In the final analysis it didn’t hurt the team in the slightest, and I think once the lawyers settle things the same will be true of this incident.

Yes it's really odd so many people here are into the ritualistic punishment and humiliation of players from a team they claim to be fans of.

I don't get it.

[kellynjk]

Yes it's really odd so many people here are into the ritualistic punishment and humiliation of players from a team they claim to be fans of.

I don't get it.

Oh PLEASE - "ritualistic punishment and humiliation of players" - No that's what people on here are saying. Everyone has noted that we have to wait and see all the facts and information come out before making any judgement on anyone. But as Argo fans we have every right to be disappointed if the Argo organization swept this whole situation under the carpet, didn't investigate the situation if the woman raised concerns and then decided not to renew her contract because of all of this. Also IF Kelly harassed this staff member to the point where she felt uncomfortable and reported it, then he also needs to face some kind of consequences because that was inappropriate.

[ARGOMAN 27]

This was a much better article than the original tsn one or the 3down. It was spaced out better so I could read it easier.

This is definitely going to cost the team some fans, both new and existing.

I had bought a Kelly jersey last year, and now I don't even look forward to wearing it or any of the Argos stuff I have, even the two new light jackets I had just bought.

. No worries just remove stitching and change number around 21 or just 2 or 1 or go numberless like i have since 1990. I never get disappointed.You have endless possibilities

[BATKINSON001]

. No worries just remove stitching and change number around 21 or just 2 or 1 or go numberless like i have since 1990. I never get disappointed.You have endless possibilities

it was one of the premade ones from real sports, it might cost more to have it changed than to buy a blank and have it done up.

["Issues"Mcgee]

This was a much better article than the original tsn one or the 3down. It was spaced out better so I could read it easier.

This is definitely going to cost the team some fans, both new and existing.

I had bought a Kelly jersey last year, and now I don't even look forward to wearing it or any of the Argos stuff I have, even the two new light jackets I had just bought.

But you will still happily pay for Kelly's salary by attending games?

[BATKINSON001]

But you will still happily pay for Kelly's salary by attending games?

. I am undecided at this point as to whether or not I will cancel my tickets.

[ArgoFan1]

Why would anyone cancel their tickets ? You support the team. Players come and go. Besides.... people are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Any kind of celebrity is an easy target for someone who has any kind of grudge or dispute with them. I don't think things were as bad as you might think. If the Argos had not renewed her contract, I bet this would never have come to light. She is only bringing it up because they did not renew, and thus this is her way of getting back at the team. I am not saying all are innocent, just trying to say you should all just stop jumping off the good ship Argo. I didn't see any evidence of any physical misconduct, or altercations other than verbal.