Kenny Stafford responds to Jaime Elizondo saying he ‘wasn’t a cultural fit’ with Elks

Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks

Free agent receiver Kenny Stafford took to Twitter on Sunday morning to respond to the comments made by head coach Jaime Elizondo following his release from the Edmonton Elks.

BUSINESS IS NEVER PERSONAL AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. But when you attack my character that’s when it becomes personal. Cultural fit?? I’m FOREVER apart of the Edmonton cultural. Made Edmonton my home for three years. Countless hours given back to the community. Won a championship here. I AM EDMONTON AND PROUD TO SAY THAT. Ask anyone who has sat down with me and had a conversation what kind of person I am. I’m still thankful for the opportunity the ELKS gave me to live out my dream. Thankful to the city that gave me a second home. Thankful to my teammates that help shape me into the person/player I am. I left it all out on the field I’m far from done but if this was the last time I laced them up I have ZERO REGRETS. ball out

Stafford tweeted, “Nothing like having your character attacked” following Elizondo’s comments, though he did not specifically reference the team or his release in the message.

The 31-year-old worked out with franchise quarterback Trevor Harris during the CFL’s extended off-season, who advocated for the team to sign the veteran receiver. It was Stafford’s third stint with Edmonton, having previously played there in 2015 and 2017-19.

Stafford had his most productive CFL season in 2015 when he helped the Elks capture a Grey Cup. He caught 47 passes for 732 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns in eighteen regular season games.

The six-foot-three, 204-pound target has played in 70 career games, catching 194 passes for 2,626 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also had brief stints with Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, and Calgary.