Chad Kelly Reinstated by CFL, Returns to Toronto Argonauts
Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly's return marks the next step after a suspension that began on May 7, sidelining him for the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests due to a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
A Troubling Incident
Kelly's suspension stemmed from an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing the quarterback of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit reached a settlement in June through mediation. As part of the terms for his return, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions focused on gender-based violence.
These conditions were integral to his reinstatement, as the CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment. The results were reviewed with the assistance of experts before Kelly's return was approved. A one-on-one conversation between Kelly and CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie was the final step in the process.
Back on the Field
Despite his absence from training camp and the early part of the season, Kelly took an active role in Sunday's practice, handling approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
Even with this positive reception, Dinwiddie approached the upcoming game with caution. Toronto (5-4) is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Given Kelly's limited practice time and the significant gap since his last game, Dinwiddie highlighted the challenges of immediately reintegrating Kelly as the starting quarterback. He mentioned plans to increase Kelly’s workload during Monday's practice sessions and hinted at the possibility of splitting reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
A Promising Yet Troubling History
Kelly's return to the Argonauts follows a year of highs and lows. Last season, he led Toronto to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, only to see their run end with a 38-17 loss to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final. During his suspension, Kelly maintained his distance from the team and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return.
Kelly’s football journey includes 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.
Commitment to Improvement
In a statement, Kelly expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the work ahead: "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."
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Kelly's responsibility: "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."
The next few weeks will be critical for Kelly and the Argonauts as they navigate his reintegration into the team. With important games on the horizon, the balance between immediate success and long-term growth will be paramount for both Kelly and the organization. For now, all eyes will be on Thursday night's game, where Toronto hopes to continue their season with a strong performance against Saskatchewan.