Chad Kelly rejoined the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly had been sidelined since May 7 after being suspended for violating the league's gender-based violence policy.
The suspension stemmed from an independent investigation linked to a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The coach accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was resolved in June through mediation.
In accordance with the suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and participate in counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These steps were necessary for Kelly to be considered for reinstatement. The CFL received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and, with the help of experts, reviewed the results before making a final decision on his return.
Prior to being reinstated, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. This discussion seemed to pave the way for his return to the team. "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," Kelly expressed.
Return to Practice
Kelly participated in Sunday's practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie added, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building." Dinwiddie mentioned that Kelly's workload would increase during Monday's practice sessions.
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is scheduled to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Despite Kelly’s significant role in practice, Dinwiddie expressed caution about starting him in the upcoming game due to his limited practice time and absence from training camp. Kelly may share reps with the team's other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Previous Performance and Suspension
Kelly, who has been out of action since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final, maintained his distance from the team and refrained from speaking to the media during his suspension. Last season, he led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, though their run ended with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
Throughout his football journey, Kelly has had stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college 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.
Leadership and Accountability
The Argonauts are cautiously optimistic about Kelly's return, emphasizing the necessity of accountability and growth. Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons stated, "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."
As the Argonauts prepare for their next game, all eyes will be on Kelly's reintegration into the team and his performance after a prolonged absence. The team's cautious approach underscores the importance of ensuring that Kelly is fully prepared both physically and mentally before he steps back onto the field.