Calgary Stampeders believe Ajou Ajou has earned ‘second chance’

Photo: Reuben Polansky/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Calgary Stampeders made the signing of Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou official on Wednesday, and released a statement regarding their decision to sign him.

“In addition to the extensive steps taken by the Canadian Football League leading up to Tuesday’s announcement about the conditional reinstatement of Ajou, the Stampeders have completed their own due diligence and player evaluation before arriving at the decision to sign the player,” the team wrote.

“Given the extensive league conditions, the team believes in providing Ajou with a second chance at this time and expects him to demonstrate the qualities of a good teammate and upstanding member of the organization and the community.”

The 24-year-old was reinstated by the CFL on Tuesday after he met the conditions outlined by the league following his violation of the CFL’s gender-based violence and harassment policy. He agreed to terms on a contract with the Stampeders within hours of his reinstatement was announced.

In April, a third-party investigation determined that Ajou made what the league termed “aggressive and unwelcome physical contact” with multiple women at a Regina restaurant. The alleged incident occurred shortly after the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup.

The Roughriders released Ajou the same day the discipline was administered by the league.

The six-foot-three, 218-pound target has since 15 mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert, a psychological assessment by another independent expert, and a meeting with CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston, which were the conditions of his reinstatement.

The native of Brooks, Alta. will face stricter consequences for any future violations of the CFL’s gender-based violence and harassment policy, the league indicated on Tuesday, including a possible lifetime ban.

Ajou still needs to serve a six-game suspension before he’s eligible to dress for a game with the Stampeders. The team indicated that he’s eligible to practice and attend team meetings at their discretion while he serves the suspension.

The Calgary Stampeders (1-2) will host the Toronto Argonauts (2-1) at McMahon Stadium on Thursday, July 2 with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Argonauts are coming off a 40-34 upset victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Stampeders beat the B.C. Lions in Kelowna by a score of 41-33.

The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 19 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on TSN 1050 in Toronto or 770 CHQR in Calgary.