Glen Suitor believes the CFL has effectively managed the situation involving former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou, who was reinstated by the league last Tuesday and has since signed with the Calgary Stampeders.
“It was the first test for (commissioner) Stewart Johnston, and he’s passed it to me,” the CFL analyst said Thursday on SportsCage.
The CFL initially suspended Ajou for six games following a third-party investigation into allegations of aggressive and unwelcome physical contact involving multiple women at a Regina restaurant on Nov. 18. The Riders released Ajou on April 16 after a CFL investigation concluded the receiver violated the Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Policy.
Ajou’s reinstatement came after he completed a three-part process established by the league. The requirements included 15 mandatory counselling sessions with a gender-based violence expert, an independent psychological assessment and a meeting with Johnston.
The CFL said Ajou will also remain subject to confidential ongoing conditions. Any future violations of its policy would result in more severe discipline from the league, including the possibility of a lifetime ban.
Suitor said there’s a “clear message from the league that that there won’t be a third chance.”
“This was a serious violation of the league’s gender-based violence and harassment policy,” Suitor said. “It was a violation. There were no charges laid, so I’m OK with a second chance. Clearly, that couldn’t be in Saskatchewan. It wouldn’t have made any sense to do that from the team’s point of view. But him getting a second chance, to me, is OK.
“Having said that, I hope the person involved here is at least somewhat satisfied with the way that this has been handled.”
Ajou was signed by the Stampeders last Thursday, two days after his reinstatement. He has two more games to serve on his suspension and is eligible to make his 2026 season debut on July 24 when the Stamps visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Ajou, 24, spent his first two CFL seasons with the Riders. The Brooks, Alta., native made 42 catches over 20 games for 519 yards with two touchdowns, both coming in the 2024 campaign.
