Chad Kelly made a highly anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback had been suspended on May 7 for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy, missing two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests as a result.
The suspension came in the wake of an independent investigation sparked by a lawsuit from a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The lawsuit alleged sexual harassment by Kelly and wrongful dismissal by the Argonauts. A settlement was reached through mediation in June.
Rehabilitation and Assessment
As part of his suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. His return was contingent upon the satisfactory completion of these assessments and counseling.
The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly’s psychological assessment and would analyze the results with expert assistance before finalizing his reinstatement. Additionally, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie prior to rejoining the Argonauts.
Back on the Field
On Sunday, Kelly participated in practice, taking approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted that Kelly's workload would increase during Monday’s practice sessions.
However, Dinwiddie expressed caution about Kelly starting the upcoming game against Saskatchewan, given the quarterback's limited practice time and absence from training camp. The coach indicated that Kelly may share reps with Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Toronto currently stands at 5-4 and is set to host Saskatchewan, which holds a 5-4-1 record, on Thursday night. Despite his absence from the team during the suspension, Kelly had led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season before their playoff run ended with a loss to Montreal in the East Division final.
Personal Reflection and Team Support
Upon his return, Kelly abstained from media interactions but did release a public statement, saying, "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."
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie shared that Kelly’s return was well-received by his teammates, who were excited to see him back on the field. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie commented.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the broader implications for 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.
A Troubled Past
Kelly’s journey through professional and collegiate football has been rocky. He played at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years. He was selected as the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos but was released by the team in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
As Kelly re-enters the CFL landscape, both he and the Argonauts seem focused on moving forward. His return to the field marks another chapter in a career characterized by both notable highs and significant lows. Although his road to redemption is far from over, both Kelly and his team appear committed to the journey ahead, hoping that it leads to personal and professional growth.