Chad Kelly made a significant return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL) after a high-profile suspension.
Kelly had been suspended on May 7, missing two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season matches due to a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy. The suspension was the result of an independent investigation prompted by a lawsuit from a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was settled in June through mediation.
As part of his reinstatement, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a specialist in gender-based violence. These conditions had to be satisfactorily met for the league to consider his return. The CFL confirmed receipt of Kelly's psychological assessment and announced it would review the results with expert assistance before finalizing his return.
Prior to his reinstatement, Kelly engaged in a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. This step appeared to be the final piece before Kelly could take part in team activities again.
Rejoining the Team
Kelly rejoined his teammates for Sunday’s practice, participating in approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed optimism about Kelly's reintegration into the team but also noted the need for caution. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," commented Dinwiddie.
The Argonauts, currently holding a 5-4 record, are set to face Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Dinwiddie indicated that while Kelly’s workload would increase during Monday’s practice sessions, the limited practice time and his absence from training camp would likely impact his immediate starting role. Kelly is expected to split reps with the other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Past and Future
Kelly has been away from the field since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year’s East Division final. During his suspension, he maintained his distance from the team and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return. Reflecting on his previous performance, Kelly had led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season before their playoff hopes were dashed with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal.
The quarterback’s football journey is notable, with college stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. His professional career began when he was selected as the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, who later released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Taking Accountability
Kelly addressed his actions and their repercussions, stating, "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."
General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the significance of Kelly’s return. "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."
As Kelly works to regain his footing with the Argonauts, the organization appears hopeful yet cautious, emphasizing the importance of his personal growth and team contribution. The journey ahead involves balancing his athletic skills with the lessons learned from his off-field experiences, aiming for a comprehensive return to form both on and off the field.