Chad Kelly made a significant return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, marking his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly had been suspended since May 7, which saw him miss two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. His suspension came after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, stemming from a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. This lawsuit was settled in June through mediation.
As a condition of his suspension, Kelly underwent confidential assessments and attended counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These had to be satisfactorily completed for Kelly to be eligible for reinstatement. The CFL received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment, and after consultation with experts, they reached the decision to reinstate him. Additionally, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie before his return was finalized.
Kelly’s Return to Practice
Kelly's return was marked by his participation in Sunday's practice, where he took approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted that they plan to gradually increase Kelly's workload during subsequent practice sessions. Despite Kelly's return, Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding Kelly's potential start in Thursday night's game against Saskatchewan. Given Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp, it remains uncertain whether he will start or split reps with the other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
"It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie commented on Kelly's reinstatement. Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan, who stand at 5-4-1. As the Argonauts prepare for the upcoming match, Kelly's return adds a layer of intrigue and potential disruption to the team's rhythm.
A Controversial Journey
This isn’t the first time Kelly has faced adversity. His football journey has been punctuated by both promise and pitfalls. During his college years, Kelly played at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, chosen by the Denver Broncos. However, his tenure with the Broncos ended abruptly in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Kelly’s most recent absence from the Argonauts distanced him from the team since their loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. Remarkably, Kelly led the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season, only to have their run cut short by a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
In his statement upon return, Kelly acknowledged the gravity of his actions and expressed remorse. "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 stated.
A Team's Commitment to Growth
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the importance of Kelly's return while noting the ongoing efforts required for the team’s cultural development. "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 remarked.
As Kelly reintegrates into the fold, the Argonauts are navigating the delicate balance of welcoming a player back while ensuring that the standards of accountability and growth are maintained. The team's next steps on and off the field will be closely watched as they strive to harness Kelly's talents while emphasizing the values and lessons from the recent past.