Chad Kelly Returns to Argonauts After Suspension
Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly had been suspended on May 7 after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, a consequence stemming from an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The lawsuit, which accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal, was settled in June through mediation.
Under the suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These conditions needed to be satisfactorily completed for his reinstatement to be considered. The CFL confirmed receipt of Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before making the final decision. A conversation between Kelly and CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie solidified his return.
Upon his return, Kelly participated in Sunday's practice and took approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed plans to increase Kelly's workload during practice sessions on Monday. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie commented, emphasizing the positive impact of Kelly's presence.
Toronto, currently with a 5-4 record, is scheduled to host Saskatchewan, holding a 5-4-1 record, on Thursday night. Despite Kelly's return, Dinwiddie exercised caution regarding the possibility of him starting the game due to his limited practice time and absence from training camp. Kelly may share reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly had been away from the team since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. He steered the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season, although their impressive run concluded with a 38-17 home loss to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
Reflecting on his actions and the journey towards betterment, Kelly stated, "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, highlighting the importance of accountability and personal growth. "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."
Kelly's football journey has been tumultuous but notable, including 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 later released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Maintaining his distance from the team during his suspension, Kelly refrained from interacting with the media upon his return. His future contributions will significantly impact the Argonauts as they navigate the rest of the season. The organization, with Kelly back on the field, looks to reinforce their culture and coalesce as they prepare for upcoming challenges on the gridiron.