Saskatchewan Roughriders release Ajou Ajou following suspension for violating CFL gender-based violence and harassment policy

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The Canadian Football League has suspended receiver Ajou Ajou for the 2026 preseason and no fewer than six additional regular season games for violating their gender-based violence and harassment policy, prompting his release by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“The Saskatchewan Roughriders do not tolerate gender-based violence or harassment and Ajou Ajou’s actions go directly against the values we hold as an organization,” Riders’ vice-president of football operations and general manager Jeremy O’Day said in a statement. “We hold our players to a high standard, one that focuses on integrity and treating people with respect. He failed to meet that standard and is no longer a Roughrider.”

The CFL initiated a third-party investigation in late January after it was made aware of multiple allegations that Ajou engaged in aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina. The investigation corroborated these reports through interviews with Ajou, multiple witnesses and complainants, which constituted breaches of the league’s gender-based violence and harassment policy.

Ajou’s reinstatement process will include a minimum of 15 mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert, a psychological assessment by another independent expert and a meeting with commissioner Stewart Johnston. Upon satisfactory completion of each, he will be eligible for reinstatement. If he is unable to satisfactorily complete any step in the process, the CFL reserves the right to modify his discipline.

“Protecting the safety and well‑being of our communities is non‑negotiable,” Johnston said in a statement. “Our players are expected to lead with integrity and serve as role models. When improper conduct occurs, our policy is clear, and we will enforce it without exception. It is my hope that Mr. Ajou learns from this experience, and that other players take this unfortunate situation as a reminder of the standards we uphold.”

Ajou was originally selected by the Roughriders in the seventh round, 59th overall during the 2024 CFL Draft and made an immediate impact as a rookie, appearing in 12 games and making 20 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns. The six-foot-three, 218-pound target signed a contract with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts that offseason, but was released in training camp and returned to Saskatchewan. He played eight games, recording 22 catches for 212 yards in 2025.

The native of Brooks, Alta. began his collegiate career at Clemson University, before transferring to the University of South Florida and later Garden City Community College.

CFL players, coaches, staff, and personnel are required to complete annual education on gender‑based violence and harassment, as well as training on match manipulation, concussion protocols, player code of conduct and the league’s drug policy. The league has broad powers to impose punishments for gender-based violence in all of its forms, including but not limited to intimate partner violence, physical and sexual assault, verbal abuse, coercive control, as well as the disrespectful and demeaning attitudes that foster violence or the tolerance of such violence. These behaviours can result in suspensions whether they occur in public or private, and even if no criminal charges are filed.

The allegations against Ajou have not been tested in court.

In May 2024, former commissioner Randy Ambrosie suspended Toronto Argonauts’ quarterback Chad Kelly nine games for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.