Chad Kelly Reinstated by CFL, Returns to Toronto Argonauts
Chad Kelly made his return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback had been serving a suspension since May 7 for violating the league's gender-based violence policy. The suspension covered the Argonauts' two exhibition games and their first nine regular-season contests.
The CFL's suspension decision came after an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, which accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit reached a settlement in June through mediation, and 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 expert. It was only after satisfactorily completing these steps that Kelly could be considered for reinstatement.
The CFL confirmed that Kelly's confidential psychological assessment had been received and reviewed with the assistance of experts before making a final decision on his return. Prior to his reinstatement, Kelly also had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
First Practice Back
Kelly took about 70% of the starting offense snaps in Sunday’s practice, with plans for an increased workload in Monday's sessions. The Argonauts (5-4) are set to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-1) on Thursday night. However, Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding Kelly starting the game, given his limited practice time and absence from training camp. Kelly may, therefore, split reps with the other Argonauts quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly has been out of action since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. During his suspension, he maintained his distance from the team and abstained from speaking to the media upon his return.
Team's Recent Performance
Last season, Kelly led the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, a run that ended with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal in the East Division final. His return comes at a crucial period as the Argonauts seek to regain momentum for the ongoing season.
Career Journey
Kelly's football journey has been tumultuous, including college stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. However, his time with Denver was cut short when the Broncos released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Despite the setbacks, Kelly remains committed to turning over a new leaf. "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 said.
Management's Perspective
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons supports Kelly's efforts to improve and integrate back into the team. "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.
As the team prepares for their next game, all eyes will be on Kelly to see how he performs upon his return. Both Kelly and the Argonauts will be looking to move forward from the past and focus on a bright future ahead.