Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following a period of suspension imposed by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly’s reinstatement came after he fulfilled a series of mandatory conditions stemming from a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
Return After Suspension
Kelly had initially faced a suspension on May 7 that ruled him out of two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. The CFL enforced this suspension after an independent investigation related to a lawsuit by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. This legal matter was resolved through mediation in June.
The conditions for Kelly's return were stringent. They included confidential assessments by an independent expert and mandatory counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. Kelly had to complete these requirements to the satisfaction of the CFL before any consideration for reinstatement could be entertained.
Assessment and Reinstatement
The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and reviewed the results with expert assistance. Only after this thorough review, and a subsequent conversation between Kelly and CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, was Kelly's return to the field finalized.
Upon his return, Kelly immediately rejoined practice, participating in about 70% of the starting offense snaps during Sunday’s session. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated that Kelly's workload would be increased during Monday's practice.
Team and Personal Reactions
"I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts, and the CFL," Kelly admitted. "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."
Coach Dinwiddie echoed positive sentiments about Kelly's return. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," he shared. Despite this optimism, Dinwiddie exercised caution regarding Kelly starting the upcoming Thursday night game against Saskatchewan. Given Kelly's limited practice time and his absence from training camp, Dinwiddie suggested that Kelly might split reps with fellow quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Looking Ahead
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday. Kelly's last outing for the Argonauts was in the intense East Division final loss to Montreal, where Toronto’s 16-2 league-best and franchise-record season ended with a 38-17 defeat.
Background
Kelly’s football journey has been marked by highs and lows. He shone at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years before being the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. However, his time with the Broncos was cut short due to an arrest for criminal trespassing in 2018.
Organizational Commitment
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the ongoing commitment to team culture and personal growth. "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.
Kelly maintained his distance from the team during his suspension and refrained from media interactions upon his return. As the Argonauts look to the coming games, Kelly’s reintegration represents both a personal and professional turning point, underpinned by a collective commitment to progress and accountability.