A prominent CFL employee is speaking out about the Toronto Argonauts’ handling of Chad Kelly’s suspension.
Kristina Costabile, the league’s senior manager of web and digital content, posted a personal statement to her X account on Thursday afternoon, expressing her displeasure that the controversial quarterback was allowed to be on the field during rookie camp.
“I know many of you have asked me about the Chad Kelly situation and have noticed that I haven’t said anything about the matter on this platform.
I first want to let you know that behind closed doors, I have been anything but silent. Please don’t think I have been sitting on the sidelines ignoring what is going on.
l love this league so much and I sincerely appreciate how much the safety of the women in it is taken seriously.
I’m extremely disappointed to see that Chad attended Toronto’s rookie camp this week, while he has been suspended from playing and has not yet completed the league-mandated counseling and assessments.
As it has been for many of you, this has been challenging for me personally and professionally to process. I hope you know that I will continue to use my voice wherever possible when it comes to safe and inclusive work environments in our league.”
The CFL issued a minimum nine-game suspension for Kelly on Tuesday, following the conclusion of an independent third-party investigation commissioned in February. An 87-page report found the reigning Most Outstanding Player “unequivocally violated” the three-down league’s gender-based violence policy. That report will not be made public due to privacy laws.
To be reinstated by the league, Kelly will have to attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert and undergo assessments by an independent expert. If he doesn’t complete the sessions and assessments to the CFL’s satisfaction, the league could modify its discipline against him.
Despite being ineligible to compete in practice or the two preseason games, Kelly was seen in street clothes on the second day of rookie camp in Guelph, helping out with the quarterback group. According to the league, it is the Argos’ decision whether the 30-year-old QB can attend practices, meetings and team activities while suspended.
A former team strength and conditioning coach filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with the Ontario Superior Court alleging that Kelly “repeatedly sought to initiate romantic connections” with her throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She also claimed that Kelly escalated his harassment on Sunday, Nov. 5 when he publicly accused her of being romantically involved with another player, an incident she alleges led to the team not renewing her contract.
Kelly recently filed his defence in the lawsuit and denied making “any romantic or sexual overtures” towards the plaintiff, including workplace sexual harassment. He stated that she “advanced these spurious claims against him purely to draw the attention of the media to what was otherwise a very routine termination situation.”
In the team’s defence filing, the Argonauts claimed they had “no knowledge” of any behaviour from Kelly that violated the CFL’s gender-based violence policy or breached the Ontario Human Rights Code. The team also claimed that its conduct with the plaintiff was “all times fair, reasonable, lawful and undertaken in good faith.”
None of the allegations against Kelly or the Argonauts have been tested in court.
On Thursday, Toronto general manager Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons addressed the media for the first time since the suspension was issued and defended Kelly’s presence on the field, stating that the team was adhering to the terms of the league’s ruling. He also took responsibility for his team’s alleged mishandling of the harassment claims and stressed the importance of organizational growth going forward.
According to a statement obtained by 3DownNation from Kelly’s agent, Chris Lambiris, the quarterback is “looking into” his appeal options. If he were to file an appeal, Kelly would be allowed to fully participate in practices and games until an arbitrator reached a decision on his status.
The Argonauts will open their 2024 regular season on Sunday, June 9 when they host the B.C. Lions at BMO Field.
