Chad Kelly Rejoins Toronto Argonauts After Suspension
Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly had been sidelined since May 7 due to a suspension associated with violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy. The punishment involved missing two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests.
The suspension stemmed from an independent investigation triggered by a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. Mediation facilitated a settlement of the lawsuit in June.
As part of the conditions for his reinstatement, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments conducted by an independent expert and to attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. Satisfactory completion of these steps was mandatory for his return. The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's psychological assessment and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before making the final decision.
Prior to his reinstatement, Kelly engaged in a dialogue with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, signalling the league's cautious, methodical approach to his return. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed cautious optimism about Kelly’s prospects, acknowledging the enthusiasm within the team.
"It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie noted. He also mentioned plans to incrementally increase Kelly's practice workload in the coming days.
On Sunday, Kelly participated in the Argonauts' practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. However, Dinwiddie tempered expectations about Kelly starting in the upcoming Thursday night game against Saskatchewan, citing Kelly’s extended absence from training camp and limited practice time.
Kelly will likely share reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle, as the team navigates his reintegration into the lineup. Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, will face Saskatchewan's 5-4-1 team in the forthcoming match.
The Argonauts suffered a significant defeat to Montreal in last year's East Division final, with Kelly at the helm. Despite leading the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 season, their campaign ended with a crushing 38-17 home loss to Montreal, who eventually clinched the Grey Cup.
During his suspension, Kelly maintained a distance from the team and refrained from engaging with the media upon his return. His public remarks have been spare but indicative of introspection and remorse.
"I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts, and the CFL,” Kelly remarked. "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."
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons also reiterated the significance of Kelly's return and the collective effort required to foster a positive team culture moving forward.
"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’s football journey has been tumultuous, marked by stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his collegiate years. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, who released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
With his return, Kelly faces the challenging task of reconciling his past actions with his future contributions to the Argonauts. As he undertakes this journey, the team and its supporters watch closely, hopeful for a successful and uneventful reintegration.