Chad Kelly made his return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly, a pivotal figure on the team, had been suspended on May 7 after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy. This suspension mandated Kelly to stay off the field for two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests.
The Investigation and Suspension
The suspension arose after an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The coach accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. By June, the lawsuit reached a settlement through mediation, a resolution that allowed both parties to move forward but left Kelly with obligations to fulfill before a potential return.
Under the terms of his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These stipulations needed to be satisfactorily met for the CFL to consider his reinstatement. In a key step toward his comeback, the CFL confirmed receiving Kelly's psychological assessment and planned a thorough review with the assistance of experts before finalizing his return.
Return to Practice
Upon his return, Kelly participated in practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building." There are plans to increase Kelly's workload during the forthcoming practice sessions, but caution remains regarding his potential start in Thursday's game against Saskatchewan.
Toronto (5-4) is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Given Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp, Dinwiddie expressed reservations about immediately placing him in a starting role. Instead, Kelly might split reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle, as the team gradually reintegrates him into active competition.
Path to Reinstatement
Kelly's journey back to the CFL spotlight was paved with introspection and accountability. In a candid statement, Kelly shared, "I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts, and the CFL. I recognize that this is just one step in the process of bettering myself, but it is an important one, and I am committed to doing what is needed to be a better teammate, colleague, and person."
Before reinstating Kelly, he had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie to discuss his progress and readiness to rejoin the league. This dialogue underscored the league's commitment to ensuring that Kelly had genuinely benefited from the counseling and assessments mandated by his suspension.
Team and Personal Impact
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the broader implications of Kelly's reinstatement, stating, "This is an important step for Chad, who has taken full accountability for his actions and represents just the beginning of his ongoing commitment to bettering himself and learning from this experience. There continues to be much work to do to strengthen our team culture, and we are all committed with Chad's return, to work on this together, as a team."
Kelly has been distant from the team since Toronto’s loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. During his suspension, he refrained from speaking to the media and maintained his distance from the team, focusing instead on meeting the requirements set forth by the CFL.
Reflecting on his football journey, Kelly's career includes notable stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years. He was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. However, his tenure with the Broncos was cut short in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Looking Ahead
Kelly’s leadership played an instrumental role in leading the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 season last year. However, their impressive run concluded with a 38-17 home loss to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final. As Kelly reintegrates into the team, the Argonauts hope to build on the foundation laid last season and foster a stronger, more cohesive team culture.
Chad Kelly's return marks a significant chapter for both the player and the Toronto Argonauts. With a renewed commitment to personal growth and team success, Kelly and the Argonauts aim to turn the page on past controversies and strive for excellence both on and off the field.