CFL

Ebell wasn’t considered big enough for the NFL, but he led the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL with 1,318 total yards in 2007 before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his career a year later.

“We said, `Let’s look at the CFL. Let’s look at the XFL. Let’s look at the USFL. Let’s look at anybody that had a kickoff and try to pull the best ideas and try to make this the safest and most exciting play possible.’

The CFL suspended Kelly for at least nine regular-season games on May 7 following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength and conditioning coach against both the player and club.

“At the same time, I want to support the Argonauts organization as it prepares for the season and have made the decision to withdraw from training camp to minimize distractions for the team and to put in the work to earn both reinstatement in the CFL and everyone’s trust,” he said in the statement.

“I have had to take time to process the findings from the CFL investigation released last week as they were not consistent with the person I am, nor the team and community leader I strive to be,” Kelly said in the statement.