Chad Kelly Returns to Toronto Argonauts After Suspension
Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly's return comes after serving a suspension that began on May 7, as a consequence of breaching the league's gender-based violence policy.
The suspension spanned the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. The CFL's decision followed an independent investigation connected to a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against Kelly, alleging sexual harassment, and accusing the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal.
The lawsuit was settled in June through mediation. 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. The satisfactory completion of these assessments and sessions was imperative for his reinstatement.
The CFL confirmed receiving Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and emphasized that experts would review the results before making a final decision on his return. Prior to his reinstatement, Kelly also had a crucial conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Upon his return, Kelly participated in Sunday's practice, taking about 70 percent of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated plans to increase Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions, while maintaining a cautious approach to Kelly potentially starting in Thursday night's game against Saskatchewan.
"It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," said Dinwiddie. Despite the positive reception, Dinwiddie expressed prudence regarding Kelly's readiness to start, given his limited practice time and absence from training camp.
Kelly is expected to split reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle. The team's upcoming game on Thursday holds particular significance as it pits two closely matched teams, both holding records of 5-4.
Kelly's last appearance for the Argonauts was during Toronto's loss to Montreal in the East Division final last year. Throughout his suspension, Kelly maintained a distance from the team and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return. His previous season was stellar, leading the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, although their run ended with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal, who went on to win the Grey Cup.
Kelly's football journey spans multiple significant experiences, including his college years at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. In 2017, he was the last pick of the NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, who later released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
In a statement, Kelly expressed remorse for his actions, indicating his commitment to improving himself both personally and professionally. "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," Kelly said.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons also commented on Kelly's return, underscoring the importance of accountability and continuous improvement. "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," Clemons stated.
The focus now shifts to Thursday's game against Saskatchewan, as the Argonauts aim to navigate the complexities of reintegrating a key player into their lineup. While Kelly's journey back onto the field is laden with challenges, it presents an opportunity for redemption and growth both for him and the team.