Chad Kelly Reinstated by CFL, Returns to Toronto Argonauts
Chad Kelly made a momentous return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday after receiving reinstatement from the Canadian Football League (CFL). His comeback follows a suspension stemming from violations of the league’s gender-based violence policy. The suspension, which began on May 7, sidelined Kelly for two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. The CFL's disciplinary action ensued after an independent investigation into a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal, filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach.
In June, the lawsuit was settled through mediation. During his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. The CFL stipulated that satisfactory completion of these sessions was essential for his reinstatement consideration.
Upon completion of the mandated assessments and counseling, the CFL received and reviewed Kelly's confidential psychological evaluation with assistance from experts. A crucial conversation between Kelly and CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie further solidified his comeback. Kelly expressed remorse for his actions, 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."
At Sunday's practice, Kelly seized about 70% of the starting offense snaps, a promising sign of his eagerness to reintegrate into the team. Toronto's head coach, Ryan Dinwiddie, expressed optimism while managing expectations. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie remarked. He also mentioned plans to progressively increase Kelly's participation in practice.
Toronto, currently standing at 5-4, is preparing to host Saskatchewan, who holds a 5-4-1 record, on Thursday night. With his extended absence from training camp and limited practice time, Dinwiddie noted that it's unlikely Kelly would start the game. "We need to make sure he's fully ready; there's a lot to consider after such a long layoff," Dinwiddie said. As a precaution, the Argonauts are considering splitting reps among Kelly and the team's other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly maintained his distance from the team and refrained from media interactions during his suspension. Last season, he led the team to an impressive league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, only for their season to be cut short by a 38-17 defeat to Montreal in the East Division final. Despite the earlier setback, there is a renewed hope that Kelly can reignite the Argonauts' offense and steer them towards a successful campaign.
Reflecting on Kelly's return, Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the broader goal of team improvement. "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 said.
Before his stint in the CFL, Kelly journeyed through collegiate football at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. He was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. However, his time with the Broncos was cut short in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing. Now, with past tribulations behind him, Kelly has a chance for redemption with the Argonauts.
The immediate future for Toronto and Kelly involves careful scrutiny and gradual reintegration. While the path ahead might be laden with challenges, the unified sentiment within the organization is clear: this is a collective journey towards improvement, marked by accountability and a commitment to a stronger team culture.