TORONTO (AP) – The Canadian Football League is investigating allegations made by a former Toronto Argonauts strength and conditioning coach who claims he was unfairly fired after being harassed by quarterback Chad Kelly. The league announced Wednesday.
The league said it had launched an investigation in accordance with its gender-based violence policy.
The coach filed a complaint in Ontario Superior Court last week alleging a pattern of harassment by Kelly that began with unwanted romantic advances and escalated to threatening language.
The coach said the club took no action when informed of Kelly's actions and accused assistant GM John Murphy of “opening a can of worms that didn't need to be opened” by the report.
Argonauts said in a statement that the club will cooperate with the CFL's investigation. Asked if Kelly could be reached for comment, an Argonauts spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the team's statement. Kelly's agent, Chris Lambiris, said neither he nor Kelly could comment.
“The Toronto Argonauts share the CFL's commitment to providing a healthy and positive working environment,” the team's statement reads. “The organization will reserve further comment until the league's investigation is complete.”
The CFL said it takes the allegations “very seriously.”
Kelly denied the accusations in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Friday.
“I am shocked by the allegations that have been made against me. I completely deny these events, intend to defend myself vigorously, and will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed,” Kelly said in a statement. Ta.
The coach said he was told on January 29 that his contract would not be renewed. The coach is seeking $80,000 for Kelly and a total of $85,714 for the Argonauts.
The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual harassment unless they have given their permission to remain anonymous.
Kelly, who was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player last season, played college football at Clemson University and the University of Mississippi. He is the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
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