CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Tecno]

Not much to appeal. If the Riders didn't cut him

Ya, if anything that makes him look even more guilty.  At least TOR stood behind Kelly (ya ya, could be they are douches too...).

The evidence or optics could be soooo bad with Ajou that they just cut bait before it got worse.  Maybe the ladies in question got some juicy video of the event...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, if anything that makes him look even more guilty.  At least TOR stood behind Kelly (ya ya, could be they are douches too...).

The evidence or optics could be soooo bad with Ajou that they just cut bait before it got worse.  Maybe the ladies in question got some juicy video of the event...

As difficult as Chad Kelly is to handle, they realize he is their franchise player.

[theaardvark]

Not much to appeal. If the Riders didn't cut him, he could appeal the length of the suspension. The Riders choose to release him outright which is their right for any player.

He can't appeal on his own?  If he thinks he was wrongly accused, why would he not be able to argue his case?  It prevents him from chasing his career...

[Blue In BC]

He can't appeal on his own?  If he thinks he was wrongly accused, why would he not be able to argue his case?  It prevents him from chasing his career...

The point being is that after being released he's no longer IN the CFL. In that sense the suspension is moot.

[theaardvark]

The point being is that after being released he's no long IN the CFL. In that sense the suspension is moot.

But its not moot.  If Toronto wanted to sign him, they are facing the suspension.  If he appeals the suspension and gets it reduced or lifted, he can potentially sign somewhere a lot easier.

Still no recitation of what his infraction was, except that it was against the league policy for gender violence.  How inappropriate can make a huge difference, the fact that there were no charges laid sounds like it did not involve assault of any kind. 

Would never get a sniff from WFC, but Toronto...

[Tecno]

The point being is that after being released he's no long IN the CFL. In that sense the suspension is moot.

We thought Lemon's suspension was moot too as we all thought we'd never see him again.  Then he re-upped with another team a year later.

Ajou is young and just starting out, 50/50 he comes back in some capacity.  The real question is: is he talented enough to justify the PR hit a team will take for doing so?

[Tecno]

Still no recitation of what his infraction was, except that it was against the league policy for gender violence.  How inappropriate can make a huge difference, the fact that there were no charges laid sounds like it did not involve assault of any kind. 

The article got into a bit of detail.  Sounds like he was getting handsy with a few ladies in a restaurant Grey Cup week.  My guess is restaurant=lounge and everyone was drinking too much.  No excuses, but it's not terribly uncommon.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The article got into a bit of detail.  Sounds like he was getting handsy with a few ladies in a restaurant Grey Cup week.  My guess is restaurant=lounge and everyone was drinking too much.  No excuses, but it's not terribly uncommon.

Best place to follow the rumours is on Riderfans, a few people noticed Ajou was almost black out drunk and at risk of falling off the float during the GC parade.

[VictorRomano]

The article got into a bit of detail.  Sounds like he was getting handsy with a few ladies in a restaurant Grey Cup week.  My guess is restaurant=lounge and everyone was drinking too much.  No excuses, but it's not terribly uncommon.

By way of comparison,  consider the following:  Was the offense Ajou Ajou has been accused of (accused of; not convicted.  This is important) any worse than what Kenny Lawler was CONVICTED OF when he was here?

[Blue In BC]

I expected to see a few more players signed after the tryout camps. So far just 1 receiver signed. Focus will shift to the draft and then quickly to rookie camps and TC.

IMO we still need another 4 or so receivers to work against all the DB's in TC.

[blue_gold_84]

As difficult as Chad Kelly is to handle, they realize he is their franchise player.

And the Argos will take all the publicity they can get.

By way of comparison,  consider the following:  Was the offense Ajou Ajou has been accused of (accused of; not convicted.  This is important) any worse than what Kenny Lawler was CONVICTED OF when he was here?

What's the purpose of comparing two different situations? What Lawler did was stupid. What Ajou did was also stupid. Stupid comes in a variety of flavours.

[Jesse]

What's the purpose of comparing two different situations? What Lawler did was stupid. What Ajou did was also stupid. Stupid comes in a variety of flavours.

Maybe just pointing out the crazy inconsistencies that exist in pro sports. Lawler was charged with a criminal offence and didn't even get suspended by the league, iirc. We benched him for a game on our own accord.

[Pete]

Lawlers only victim was himself, the tolerance for women harrassment is like it or not much lower

[theaardvark]

So, DUI (drunk driving) where you could easily kill some is fine (as long as you didn't kill anyone). 

But somehow, PUI (partying under the influence) and getting handsy is an unforgivable offence?

Both are terrible judgement calls, and signs these players have no responsible friends that could have stopped them making bad mistakes.  You could say that Ajou was let down by the Riders who obviously saw him exceptionally impaired, and did not act.  He should have been accompanied home if he was blackout on the float.

Not trying to justify his actions, they are reprehensible for sure.  But I wonder about the responsibility of the parties, and the punishment.  Did he get a chance to apologize and attend re-training?  Is that part of his suspension, would it have been harsher had he not done these things?

Or does he not give a flying flip about the CFL and his career?  Not like he was pulling down millons here.

[Jesse]

So, DUI (drunk driving) where you could easily kill some is fine (as long as you didn't kill anyone). 

But somehow, PUI (partying under the influence) and getting handsy is an unforgivable offence?

Both are terrible judgement calls, and signs these players have no responsible friends that could have stopped them making bad mistakes.  You could say that Ajou was let down by the Riders who obviously saw him exceptionally impaired, and did not act.  He should have been accompanied home if he was blackout on the float.

Not trying to justify his actions, they are reprehensible for sure.  But I wonder about the responsibility of the parties, and the punishment.  Did he get a chance to apologize and attend re-training?  Is that part of his suspension, would it have been harsher had he not done these things?

Or does he not give a flying flip about the CFL and his career?  Not like he was pulling down millons here.

One thing I don't want to do when discussing these things is to minimize one offence. Harassment should come with consequences and I am glad the league has taking these steps. Full stop.

It does shine a light on some other transgressions which maybe do not have consequences that reflect the severity of the crimes. Gambling on games is treated with a lifetime ban, harassment of women comes with a half season along with therapy and re-education training, but all others are a game or two at best.

To answer your questions, both Kelly and Ajou were suspended for 9 games and, in addition to the suspension, must successfully complete certain training sessions in order to be re-instated by the league. There is no opportunity to complete training or apologize to minimize the suspension. It's all part of it.