Chad Kelly made a noticeable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, as the quarterback rejoined the team following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). This reinstatement comes after Kelly's suspension on May 7, a consequence of violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy. His suspension included two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests.
The suspension followed an independent investigation stemming from a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The situation concluded with a settlement in June, reached through mediation.
A Conditional Return
Kelly’s return was contingent upon him completing specific conditions set forth by the CFL, which included undergoing confidential assessments by an independent expert and participating in counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These measures had to be satisfactorily completed before Kelly could be considered for reinstatement.
The CFL subsequently received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before making the final decision on his return. Before his reinstatement was finalized, Kelly had a crucial conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Back in Action
Upon his return, Kelly jumped straight into action, participating in the team's Sunday practice and taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted plans to intensify Kelly’s workload during Monday’s practice sessions.
Despite Kelly’s involvement in practice, Dinwiddie hinted at caution, expressing uncertainty about Kelly starting in Toronto’s upcoming game against Saskatchewan on Thursday night. This cautious approach is attributed to Kelly’s limited time in practice and absence from training camp, suggesting that he might share reps with fellow Argonauts quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Long Road Back
Kelly has been sidelined since Toronto's loss to Montreal in the East Division final last year. During his suspension, he maintained no contact with the team and abstained from speaking to the media upon his return. Reflecting on the impact of his actions, Kelly issued a public apology, 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."
His return was met with a warm reception from his teammates. “It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," shared Dinwiddie.
The Argonauts are currently positioned at 5-4 and will face the 5-4-1 Saskatchewan team. Given Kelly's impressive record last season, leading the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record before their run ended in the East Division final, his potential impact on the field can't be understated. His journey back to football also includes previous stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years, and being the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. His NFL career was cut short following his release in 2018 due to an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Ongoing Commitment
Reflecting on Kelly’s return, Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons commented, "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 Kelly integrates back into the team structure, the Argonauts are keen to focus on growth and development, both on and off the field. His reinstatement exemplifies a pivotal moment not just in his career but also in the collective efforts towards creating a positive and inclusive team culture.