Chad Kelly returned to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). This marked the end of his suspension, which was imposed on May 7 after he violated the CFL's gender-based violence policy. The suspension had sidelined Kelly for the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests.
The CFL's decision followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. Eventually, the lawsuit reached a settlement in June through mediation.
Reinstatement Conditions and Process
As a condition of his reinstatement, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a specialist in gender-based violence. After satisfactorily completing these requirements, Kelly was considered for reinstatement. The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's psychological assessment and would review the results with the assistance of experts before making a final decision on his return.
In the lead-up to the reinstatement, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie to finalize the process. Kelly expressed remorse for his actions, 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."
Back on the Field
Kelly wasted no time in returning to his duties, participating in Sunday's practice and taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie remarked on Kelly's return, saying, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building." Dinwiddie also mentioned plans to increase Kelly's workload during Monday’s practice sessions.
Upcoming Challenges
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Despite Kelly's return, Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding starting him in the game, considering his limited practice time and absence from training camp. Kelly will potentially share reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly has not played since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year’s East Division final, where the team concluded an impressive season with a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. Their run ended dramatically with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal, who went on to win the Grey Cup.
Background and Commitment
Kelly, who maintained his distance from the team during his suspension and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return, has had an eventful football journey. His college years included stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. 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.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the importance of Kelly’s return, stating, "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."
With Kelly back on the roster, the Toronto Argonauts will undoubtedly look to regain their momentum. However, the team's success will hinge on how well Kelly integrates back into the squad and how effectively he demonstrates his commitment to personal growth and professional excellence.