CFL East

The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for a minimum of nine games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy.

According to the CFL's official release, Kelly will also be required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend mandatory counseling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert.

The CFL has announced the following statement regarding Chad Kelly. pic.twitter.com/Fv3h1D9sgY

— CFL Communications (@CFL_PR) May 7, 2024

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie issued a statement about Kelly's suspension included in the release:

"Players are the ambassadors of our great game. They are expected to be leaders in the locker room and role models in the community. It was important that we performed our due diligence to properly review this matter from all points of view. That in-depth investigation found that Mr. Kelly unequivocally violated the CFL's Gender-based Violence Policy.

"Mr. Kelly's suspension is the direct result of his behaviour. The addition of mandatory counselling focuses on his need for self-reflection and understanding of his actions. He must take full advantage of this opportunity for personal betterment in order to return to the CFL."

Kelly's suspension stems from an investigation after a former Argonauts strength and conditioning coach filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the team and quarterback.

Per TSN's Rick Westhead, the lawsuit, filed on Feb. 21 in Ontario Superior Court, alleged Kelly harassed the former coach and the Argonauts fired her after she rejected his advances.

"[The plaintiff] reported the harassment she was experiencing from Chad to her superiors," the lawsuit states. "[The] Argonauts failed to address [her] legitimate concerns and then terminated her employment."

The coach worked for the Argonauts from 2018 until January 2024.

Per the CFL's official policy, any sanctions involving suspensions and loss of income "will only be an option if or when allegations are substantiated and the safety of a victim and/or community members has been compromised."

Kelly is entering his third season with Toronto. He began his college career at Clemson in 2012 before being dismissed in April 2014 for conduct detrimental to the team.

After spending one season at East Mississippi Community College, Kelly transferred to Mississippi in 2015. He played two years with the Rebels before being a seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.

Kelly spent time with the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Argonauts in February 2022. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player last year.

Toronto will play its first preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes on May 25. It opens the regular season on June 9 against the BC Lions.

A minimum nine-game suspension means the earliest Kelly would be eligible to play is in Week 12 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 22.

The former strength and conditioning coach who is suing both the Toronto Argonauts and former team quarterback Chad Kelly filed an amended statement of claim on April 2, arguing Kelly is "liable for sexual harassment in the workplace contrary to section 7 of the Ontario Human Rights Code," per Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation.

Per the filing, the woman has accused Kelly of a "campaign of harassment" in addition to continually trying to date her despite her expressed disinterest.

The woman first sued Kelly and the Argonauts in February, saying Kelly's advances went from unwanted romantic advances to threatening language. She said when she told the team of the behavior no action was taken and assistant general manager John Murphy told her she "opened a can of worms that didn't need to be opened."

She then said she was told on Jan. 29 her contract wouldn't be renewed. She is suing the team for wrongful dismissal.

The lawsuit has argued that Kelly's significant profile as the Most Outstanding Player in the 2023 CFL season—he also had a successful college career with Ole Miss and appeared in one NFL game with the Denver Broncos—is more reason his "conduct deserves special reprimand from the court to send out a message that women must be treated with respect and Canadian courts will not tolerate behavior similar to Chad's."

Kelly's agent, Chris Lambiris, responded that the amendment was "merely a procedural matter" and that they were "[looking] forward to our statement of defense speaking for itself."

Kelly said in late February that he denied the allegations and was "shocked" by them, adding that he intended to "vigorously defend myself and will be seeking the dismissal of the action."

The CFL released a statement saying it was investigating the matter "in accordance with the league's gender-based violence policy" and took the allegations "very seriously."

"The Toronto Argonauts share the CFL's commitment to providing healthy and positive work environments," the team added in a statement at the time. "The organization will reserve any further comment until the conclusion of the league's investigation."

Canadian Football League legend and professional wrestler Angelo Mosca Sr. died Saturday at the age of 84.

Mosca's wife, Helen, announced his death in a Facebook post, per the Associated Press.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Angelo Mosca announce his passing … after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Angelo was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather as well as friend to so many."

The CFL, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and WWE released statements following Mosca's death.

"Savvy, smart and ahead of his time, he built his bad guy personae into a personal brand that was bigger than life," the CFL's statement read in part.

"Unloved in some markets, where he was the villain, his stature was unmatched in Hamilton, where he was a hero, and when he traded his shoulder pads for wrestling tights, he enthralled Mosca fans in countries near and far."

The Tiger-Cats added:

Angelo Mosca was a legend. He was one of the most legendary players in CFL history and certainly the most legendary to ever wear a Tiger-Cat uniform. His contributions to the game of Canadian football, to our organization, and to the Hamilton community will never be forgotten. We send our sincere condolences to Angelo's entire family.

The former Notre Dame star played offensive and defensive tackle, winning one Grey Cup with the Ottawa Rough Riders and four more with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played in the CFL from 1958 to 1972 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

After his football career ended, Mosca moved on to professional wrestling. Known as Angelo "King Kong" Mosca, he competed in the AWA and Stampede Wrestling before moving to WWE. He had rivalries with WWE Hall of Famers and legends Bob Backlund and Pat Patterson.

Mosca worked as a color commentator and promoter after his active wrestling days, per WWE's statement.

Condolences poured in for Mosca after the news was revealed, including one from The Iron Sheik:

ANGELO MOSCA BUBBA. ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MAN I EVER FIGHT. YOU WERE MY BROTHER FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. https://t.co/WFnmaRDGB1 pic.twitter.com/puYVq7cDtC

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) November 6, 2021

Aw, man.
Just heard Angelo Mosca passed away. Knew him and of him in so many incarnations. Wrestler, player, one of the true CFL eminences.
Sad news, man.
Sad news#RIP

— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) November 6, 2021

True CFL legend. Condolences to the family and many friends of Angelo Mosca, who passed away today. pic.twitter.com/VR8AyVetCb

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) November 6, 2021

Leaving the hotel on our way to Canada’s Wonderland as a kid, I bumped into Angelo Mosca. He graciously signed an autograph for me on a restaurant placemat. He was huge! All those years later covering Tabbies games at Ivor Wynne, I still got starstruck whenever I saw King Kong. pic.twitter.com/uY17pRsBzM

— James Cybulski (@JamesCybulski) November 7, 2021

Sad to hear the news of Angelo Mosca’s passing. He played the villain role perfectly, but nobody had a bigger heart and love for the CFL than Ang. When he’d visit the booth before every game, you felt like you’d been with CFL royalty. Condolences to his family and Ticat Nation.

— Chris Cuthbert (@CCpxpSN) November 6, 2021

In his later years, Mosca wrote an autobiography (Tell Me To My Face) that was published in 2011. He also became just the second Tiger-Cat in franchise history to have his number retired, when Hamilton decided to do so in 2015.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant has signed with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, according to the team's vice president of player personnel John F. Murphy. 

Bryant, 29, last played in the NFL in 2018 with the Raiders, posting 19 receptions for 266 yards in eight games (two starts).  

The wide receiver looked like he was bound for stardom after an excellent rookie season in 2014 that saw him catch 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. He followed that up with 50 receptions for 765 yards and six scores in 2015 across 11 contests, though he was suspended the first four games of that season for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse.

That suspension foreshadowed further issues that stalled Bryant's NFL career. He was indefinitely suspended by the NFL in 2016 and missed the entire season for multiple violations of the policy on substances of abuse. He was also banned indefinitely in Dec. 2018 for violating the conditional terms of his reinstatement to the league in 2017.

Bryant never played another snap in the NFL after that 2018 suspension. In total he played in 44 career games, catching 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

The former Clemson Tiger will look to resurrect his football career in the CFL. 

Although the Canadian Football League originally seemed like a stepping stone in Johnny Manziel's attempted return to the NFL, he is now planning on returning to the Montreal Alouettes next season.

"I didn't really know what to expect when I got here," Manziel said Sunday, per the team's official Twitter account. "This league has exceeded my expectations as far as talent and what kind of league it is. I'm happy here, right now. I'm looking forward to next season — I'm all in on this team for next year."

The Alouettes played their final game of the 2018 season Saturday but failed to make the playoffs.

The squad finished 5-13 on the season, with Manziel only winning in two of his starts.

He ended the year with 1,290 passing yards, throwing five touchdowns and seven interceptions. While this numbers don't jump out, he expects more success in 2019.

"There were growing pains, but I truly feel like I'll be better...moving forward," he said, per Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette. "I'll be much better next season."

The CFL season represented Manziel's first competitive action since starting six games for the Cleveland Browns in 2015. The 2014 first-round NFL draft pick originally signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but didn't see the field in four games before being traded to Montreal.

His play certainly wasn't good enough to get attention from NFL teams, but he should be able to return to the Alouettes to try for more success in 2019.

Johnny Manziel ended his first season with the Montreal Alouettes on a high note. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 4-of-5 for 59 yards and one touchdown in the first quarter against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Coming into the game, Montreal head coach Mike Sherman intended to get an extended look at backup quarterbacks Antonio Pipkin and, especially, Matt Shiltz to prepare for 2019.

"We want to give a chance to Matt," Sherman told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette. "During the pre-season, it's very rough on me to have to evaluate our team in two weeks' time. I want to take advantage of this opportunity."

Saturday's abbreviated showing by Manziel was a vast improvement from where he started the season. He went 11-of-20 with 104 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions in a 50-11 loss.

Manziel's touchdown came on a 30-yard pass in which he had all day to throw and put the ball in a spot where Eugene Lewis could overpower Hamilton defensive back Courtney Stephen:

Johnny #Manziel tosses a DEEP pass to Eugene Lewis for a @MTLAlouettes touchdown!! 🔥#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/0WMJop3o6h

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 3, 2018

In the lead-up to Saturday night, Manziel sounded comfortable about his place in the CFL and wanting to return next season.

"It'll be nice knowing I have someone to come back to, having a routine and really having guys to work with, teammates to talk to," he told Zurkowsky. "It's going to be a good offseason—the first one I've had where I know I'm coming back to football next year. I want to be here."

This was a fitting and full-circle conclusion to what was a unique season for Manziel. He was able to go out on a high note against the team that originally signed him before Montreal acquired him via trade in July. The 25-year-old finished 2018 completing 64.2 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games.

Considering Manziel hadn't played a professional football game since Dec. 27, 2015, with the Cleveland Browns prior to joining the Alouettes, his stat line isn't nearly as important as just making it through the season without generating any negative headlines for off-field activities.

The Montreal Alouettes fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 31-14 at Investors Group Field on Friday night as Johnny Manziel made his first start since suffering a concussion in mid-August. 

Manziel, who drew the start over Antonio Pipkin, finished 18-of-25 passing for 212 yards and one interception and found it hard to find a rhythm in the face of constant pressure from Winnipeg's front. 

Tough night for Johnny Manziel. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/KIQPOrdJNA

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 22, 2018

The Blue Bombers (6-7) racked up five sacks against an overwhelmed Alouettes offensive line, and Craig Roh picked up three as he relished the opportunity to send Manziel tumbling to the turf: 

Craig Roh (@craigroh) has a little extra fun sacking #JohnnyManziel 😂#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/Ho93xYYv4f

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 22, 2018

With big gains through the air largely elusive, Montreal had to get creative in pursuit of a comeback after falling behind 21-6. 

In the third quarter, that meant running a jet sweep throwback to Manziel for a 22-yard pickup: 

#JohnnyManziel and the @MTLAlouettes do a little bit of trickery on offence.#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/fdTYspFfPd

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 22, 2018

Five players later, Pipkin came in and plunged into the end zone to help cut the deficit to single digits: 

Antonio Pipkin (@T_Pip2) gets into the end zone to get @MTLAlouettes back into the game.#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/y2dRM1gEl1

— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) September 22, 2018

However, the fireworks stopped there. 

Although Manziel and the Alouettes had a couple chances to knot the proceedings at 21, they couldn't generate the traction necessary to sustain a drive down the stretch. 

Now 3-10, the Alouettes will try to snap a two-game losing streak when they return to the field Sept. 30 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 

Johnny Manziel is ready to return to action for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes but has yet to receive the go-ahead from doctors to get back on the field after suffering a concussion in the Aug. 11 defeat to the Ottawa Redblacks. 

"I feel like I'm just jumping through the necessary hoops as far as concussion protocol," Manziel said on his Barstool Sports podcast Comeback SZN (h/t TMZ Sports). "I wish it was progressing faster."

Manziel finished 16-of-26 for 168 yards in the loss to Ottawa. During a run in the third quarter, he absorbed a big hit at the goal line by Redblacks defensive back Jonathan Rose. Manziel stayed in for the remainder of the game.

The Alouettes placed him in the CFL's concussion protocol Aug. 15, and he missed a 40-24 defeat to the Edmonton Eskimos.

Montreal head coach Mike Sherman was optimistic Manziel would receive medical clearance to return to practice as early as Thursday.

"He's doing better every day," Sherman said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "I texted him last night [and] he said he felt great. Every day, there's an improvement. Hopefully, tomorrow there's significant improvement and we go from there."

The Alouettes play the Toronto Argonauts at home Friday night.

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Johnny Manziel will reportedly miss the next game against the Edmonton Eskimos due to a concussion, according to Kayce Smith of Barstool Sports. 

The former Cleveland Browns player was placed in the concussion protocol Wednesday as a result of a hit during Saturday's game against the Ottawa Redblacks, according to TSN. Head coach Mike Sherman said Manziel would not be available to play Saturday if he doesn't practice on Thursday.

The team provided updates on the situation through a statement:

"On Tuesday morning, Johnny Manziel mentioned to our medical staff that he felt symptoms that could be associated with the prescribed medication he uses for a previously diagnosed medical condition. He then missed practice in order to have some blood work done. In view of the hit he received on Saturday and the potential mitigating side effects of his prescribed medication, the Alouettes medical staff has placed Manziel under the CFL concussion protocol for further observation and precautionary reasons. Manziel will be closely observed and assessed in the next few days."

SportsCenter provided video of the initial hit:

A Johnny Manziel scramble to the endzone ended with this crushing hit and a fumble at the goal line.

Manziel jogged off the field and would return to the game the following possession. pic.twitter.com/vJf6bYtO7W

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 12, 2018

Manziel didn't miss any plays because of the hit.

The quarterback has had a rough beginning to his career in the Canadian Football League. He didn't play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before being traded to Montreal, and he had four interceptions in his first start.

While the former Heisman Trophy winner looked better in his last game, throwing 168 yards, rushing for 36 and throwing zero interceptions, the injury appears to be another setback.

It would have been hard for Johnny Manziel's second CFL start to go worse than the first, and it's clear he's far from ready to make a difference in the NFL.

But as far as improvements go, Manziel demonstrated it Saturday, throwing for 168 yards in the Montreal Alouettes' 24-17 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks. 

Manziel completed 16 of his 26 passes and actually made it through the full game. He was pulled from his first CFL start after throwing four interceptions in the first half against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

"This is a humbling experience," Manziel told reporters after the loss. "I've had this experience in the past and there are two ways you go about this moving forward. One, you can let it get you down and sulk and harm you moving forward. The other way is to take this on the chin like a man and never let this taste creep back in your mouth again and never let it happen again. This will motivate me."

Manziel is still yet to throw a touchdown in three CFL halves, but there were some flashes of the old Johnny Football. He carried the ball three times for 36 yards, including a big 17-yard run that ended in a touchdown after he fumbled and it was recovered by Kristian Matte. 

A Johnny Manziel scramble to the endzone ended with this crushing hit and a fumble at the goal line.

Manziel jogged off the field and would return to the game the following possession. pic.twitter.com/vJf6bYtO7W

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 12, 2018

Perhaps the most important improvement was Manziel not throwing an interception. Montreal held possession for under 24 minutes thanks to a special teams score and its defense being unable to get Ottawa off the field.

Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris threw for 487 yards and a touchdown, completing 44 of his 54 attempts. Running back William Powell added 104 yards and a touchdown. 

The Alouettes and Manziel have time to figure things out together. Montreal is 1-7 on the season and has no real shot at winning the Grey Cup this season. Manziel can work out the kinks with a team that's clearly at a talent deficiency and hopefully get the rust out of his system in time to make tangible progress.

Given his talent level a few years ago, Manziel should be one of the best quarterbacks in the CFL. Two games in, though, it's clear he's a ways away from making that happen.

Saturday was just more progress.