Chad Kelly Rejoins Toronto Argonauts Amidst Controversy
Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback had been serving a suspension since May 7 for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, sidelining him for the Argos' two exhibition games and their first nine regular-season contests.
The CFL’s decision to suspend Kelly stemmed from an independent investigation related to a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The lawsuit accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal, ultimately reaching a settlement in June through mediation. As part of the suspension's terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert.
The CFL received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment, a critical component for his reinstatement, and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before making their final decision. Before his reinstatement was finalized, Kelly also had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Back on the Field
During Sunday’s practice, Kelly took approximately 70% of the snaps with the starting offense, signaling a significant step in his return to the team. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated that Kelly's workload would increase during Monday’s practice sessions.
Dinwiddie expressed caution about Kelly starting Thursday night's game against Saskatchewan, given his limited practice time and absence from training camp. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie said. Kelly is expected to potentially split reps with Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle, reflecting a strategic approach to re-integrating Kelly into game action.
Kelly has been notably absent since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year’s East Division final. His return comes at a critical juncture, with Toronto (5-4) set to host a strong Saskatchewan team (5-4-1) on Thursday.
During his suspension, Kelly maintained his distance from the team and chose not to speak to the media upon his return. Reflecting on his actions, 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."
A Storied Journey
Kelly’s journey in football has seen its share of highs and lows. During his college years, he had stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. In the 2017 NFL Draft, he was the last pick, selected by the Denver Broncos. However, his tenure with the Broncos ended abruptly in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Despite his past troubles, last season saw Kelly leading the Argos to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. Their playoff run ended with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal in the East Division final, who would go on to become the Grey Cup champions.
Toronto Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the significance of Kelly's return and heralded it as a step forward for both the player and the team. "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."
As the Argonauts prepare for Thursday's game, the team and its fans will undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on Kelly's progress. His return marks not only a pivotal moment for his career but also challenges the team to reconcile its ambitions on the field with the need to maintain a positive and respectful environment.