Former Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly suspended by CFL for violating gender violence policy

Former Ole Miss Rebels quarterback and current Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly was suspended nine games by the Canadian Football League on Tuesday following an investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former coach against Kelly and the Argonauts.

Kelly is expected to miss the regular season and will also miss Toronto’s two preseason games this year for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy. The AP was first to report the news on Tuesday.

According to the reports, Kelly will undergo “confidential assessments by an independent expert” and attend mandatory counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. Both must be completed before the CFL considers reinstating Kelly, otherwise the league could modify his suspension.

News of the lawsuit surfaced in March when the coach filed a report with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice alleging “a pattern of harassment by Kelly that began with unwanted romantic advances and progressed to instances of threatening language,” according to the Associated Press increased”.

Kelly also released a statement to the AP at the time of the lawsuit.

“I am shocked by the allegations that have been made against me,” Kelly said in a statement. “I strongly deny these incidents and intend to defend myself vigorously and will seek dismissal of the lawsuit.”

Kelly, who spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Rebels and won a Sugar Bowl under then-head coach Hugh Freeze, was named the CFL’s outstanding player last season after leading the Argonauts to a franchise-record 16-2 finals record had a season, also good for a league best in the season.