{"id":613748,"date":"2026-04-19T04:17:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T04:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/613748\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T04:17:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T04:17:20","slug":"roughriders-react-quickly-emphatically-to-ajou-suspension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/613748\/","title":{"rendered":"Roughriders react quickly, emphatically to Ajou suspension"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Canadian Football League announced on Thursday that receiver Ajou Ajou had been suspended at least six regular-season games for violating the Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Policy.<\/p>\n

Just 10 minutes later, the Saskatchewan Roughriders distributed a media advisory of their own<\/a> \u2014 stating that Ajou had been released.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was solely our decision,\u201d Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O\u2019Day told reporters<\/a> when asked whether the league had any input into subsequent disciplinary measures taken by the football team.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders also responded promptly in late January, upon being made aware of the allegations. O\u2019Day said the team \u201cimmediately reached out to the league,\u201d which initiated an extensive third-party investigation.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders responded to the suspension, which also applies to the 2026 pre-season, by concluding there was a \u201cclear violation\u201d of the community-owned team\u2019s Code of Conduct.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hold each other to a high standard,\u201d O\u2019Day said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to develop a culture in which people feel safe and people feel respected \u2014 a family atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the support we have from the top down as far as how we\u2019re going to run this football team, it is important that we\u2019re all in lockstep. Everyone knows that we\u2019re going to support each other, but we\u2019ve also got to hold each other accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully that is a message that the players receive, but it\u2019s just disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The allegations date back to Nov. 18 \u2014 two days after the Roughriders won the Grey Cup \u2014 when, according to the league\u2019s statement, \u201cMr. Ajou engaged in aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ajou was a starting receiver in the 2025 Grey Cup Game, in which the Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 on Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

Selected by Saskatchewan in the seventh round of the 2024 CFL Canadian Draft, Ajou caught 20 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie. He was subsequently signed by the NFL\u2019s Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n

Ajou was released by the Colts on Aug. 26 and rejoined the Roughriders two days later. He had 22 catches for 212 yards, without a touchdown, in eight regular-season games.<\/p>\n

Placed on the one-game injured list leading up to the Western Final, he was reactivated for the Grey Cup. He caught two passes for 13 yards in the Riders\u2019 win, while making his ninth CFL start.<\/p>\n

The league\u2019s announcement detailed a stringent reinstatement process that, if completed satisfactorily, could clear the way for Ajou, 24, to return to action.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Day, however, was unequivocal when asked about where Ajou could play if he does return to the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot with the Saskatchewan Roughriders,\u201d the team\u2019s GM said.<\/p>\n

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