Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday after being reinstated by the Canadian Football League (CFL). His return marks the end of a suspension that began on May 7, triggered by a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The suspension was the outcome of an independent investigation stemming from a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was settled through mediation in June, after which Kelly was required to undergo assessments and counseling before being considered for reinstatement.
Conditions of Reinstatement
Under the suspension terms, Kelly was mandated to complete confidential assessments conducted by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions focused on gender-based violence. "I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts, and the CFL," Kelly stated. "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."
The league confirmed they had received Kelly's psychological assessment and would review the results with assistance from experts before making a final decision. The final decision on Kelly's reinstatement also involved counsel with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. Following his reintegration into the team, Kelly joined practice, taking roughly 70% of the starting offensive snaps.
Gradual Integration
Argonauts' head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has indicated that Kelly's workload would increase in the subsequent practice sessions. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie remarked, recognizing the positive impact of Kelly's return on team morale.
Toronto, boasting a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. However, Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding Kelly starting the game, citing the quarterback's limited practice time and absence from training camp. The plan might involve Kelly sharing reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
A Promising Record
Kelly has been out of action since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. He maintained his distance from the team during his suspension and abstained from speaking to the media upon his return. Despite his absence, Kelly led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season. Their impressive run was cut short with a 38-17 home loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division final, with the Alouettes eventually claiming the Grey Cup.
Challenges and Accountability
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons highlighted the importance of Kelly’s return as a step forward in strengthening the team culture. "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 noted.
Kelly’s football career has been as turbulent as it has been promising. His college years saw him take snaps at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. His professional journey 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.
Kelly's journey back to the CFL and the Toronto Argonauts represents a significant chapter in his career. Whether he will regain his previous form and lead the team to new heights remains to be seen. For now, both Kelly and the Argonauts are focused on the present and the steps they need to take to build a positive team culture and achieve on-field success once more.