Quarterback Kelly has officially announced his withdrawal from Toronto Argonauts camp – Winnipeg Free Press

GUELPH, Ont. – Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly has officially withdrawn from CFL training camp.

Kelly made the announcement in a statement to The Canadian Press on Thursday. The CFL's standout player last year wants to digest the results of a league-mandated investigation that played a role in his suspension for both exhibition games in Toronto and at least nine regular-season contests.

Kelly said he wants to “work to rebuild the CFL and earn everyone's trust.”

“I've had to take time to process the results of the CFL investigation released last week because they don't align with the person I am, the team and community leader I strive to be,” Kelly said in a statement. “I want to be a leader who brings people together, and I strongly believe that all workplaces should be safe and healthy for every team member.

“I will take full advantage of this advisory opportunity to learn, grow and improve myself as my legal team awaits legal conclusions for review, explores options for clarifying a number of the report's findings, and considers next steps. Additionally, I want to support the Argonauts organization as it prepares for the season and decided to sit out of training camp to minimize the team's concerns.”

Last week, the CFL suspended Kelly for violating its gender-based violence policy. It follows an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by former strength and coach Kelly for sexual harassment and wrongful firing by the Argos.

Two days later, Kelly took the field at a rookie camp at the University of Guelph in Toronto. He wasn't in gear and didn't practice, but Argos GM Mike (Pinball) Clemons later said Kelly's participation was under the terms of CFL discipline.