Chad Kelly Returns to Argonauts Following Suspension
Chad Kelly has officially rejoined the Toronto Argonauts after being reinstated by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly's suspension, stemming from a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy, had kept him out of action since May 7. The prohibition sidelined Kelly for the Argos' two exhibition games and the initial nine regular-season contests.
The CFL’s disciplinary action followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The case, filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, was settled through mediation in June.
Kelly's Road to Reinstatement
To meet the terms of his suspension, Kelly underwent confidential assessments by an independent expert and participated in counseling sessions focused on gender-based violence. Only after completing these requirements would the CFL consider his return to play. The league received Kelly's psychological assessment and consulted with experts to review the results before finalizing the decision.
Kelly also engaged in a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, which was a critical step before his reinstatement was official.
Back on the Field
Kelly made his return during Sunday’s practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie was cautiously optimistic about Kelly's progress. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie stated.
While Kelly’s role for the upcoming game against Saskatchewan remains uncertain, Dinwiddie plans to ramp up his participation in Monday’s practice sessions. Kelly, who last played in Toronto’s loss to Montreal in the previous year’s East Division final, has been out of training camp and limited in practice. This may lead to him splitting reps with quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
“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, expressing remorse and a commitment to improvement.
A Record-Breaking Past
Kelly's return comes after a stellar previous season where he led the Argos to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. However, their remarkable run ended in disappointment with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal, the eventual Grey Cup champions, in the East Division final.
Kelly’s Football Journey
Reflecting on Kelly's career trajectory, the quarterback has had a notable journey. He played college football at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi before being the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. His tenure with Denver ended in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
The Road Ahead
The Argonauts, currently standing at 5-4, will face Saskatchewan, who holds a 5-4-1 record, on Thursday night. While Kelly’s readiness to start remains in question, his dedication to making amends and improving himself has been acknowledged by both team officials and his teammates.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons commented on Kelly’s reinstatement, emphasizing the significance of his return. "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 Kelly works to regain his form and rebuild trust within the team, his journey serves as a testament to personal responsibility and the long path toward redemption. His progress will be keenly observed as he takes each stride on the field, aiming to lead the Argonauts to greater successes.