Chad Kelly Rejoins Toronto Argonauts After CFL Suspension
The Toronto Argonauts welcomed back quarterback Chad Kelly on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL) after serving a suspension for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy. Kelly, who had been sidelined since May 7, was suspended for the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests.
The suspension stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. An independent investigation into the allegations led to Kelly's suspension, and the case was ultimately settled through mediation in June.
A Journey to Reinstatement
Part of Kelly’s suspension terms required him to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. The CFL confirmed that Kelly had completed these requirements and submitted a confidential psychological assessment. The league, with the assistance of experts, reviewed the results before making a final decision on his return.
Kelly's reinstatement was finalized after a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. Kelly subsequently joined his team for practice on Sunday, where he was allocated around 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed cautious optimism regarding Kelly’s potential to start the upcoming game.
Team Dynamics and Strategy
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Dinwiddie indicated plans to increase Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions but also expressed caution due to Kelly’s absence from training camp.
“It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," said Dinwiddie. However, he remained hesitant about assigning Kelly the starting position for Thursday's game, noting the quarterback would likely share reps with Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
A Storied Career
Kelly, who has been out of action since Toronto’s loss to Montreal in last year’s East Division final, has had a varied football career. He led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 season last year before falling short to Montreal in the East Division final. His journey in football includes college stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi.
In 2017, Kelly was the last pick in the NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. His professional career took a hit in 2018 when the Broncos released him following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Reflections and Commitment
Upon his return, Kelly issued a statement taking responsibility for his past actions. "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,” he said.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons underscored the significance of Kelly’s return, emphasizing a collective effort to rebuild and strengthen 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 stated.
Kelly’s return not only brings a key player back into the fold for the Argonauts but also highlights the broader implications of personal accountability and growth within professional sports. His journey from suspension to reinstatement serves as a testament to the league’s commitment to upholding policies on gender-based violence while providing a path for individuals to make meaningful reparations and improvements.