Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The reinstatement comes after a lengthy suspension that saw Kelly side-lined for the Argos' two exhibition matches and the initial nine regular-season games. This suspension stemmed from his breach of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The issue began earlier this year on May 7, when Kelly was suspended following an independent investigation. The investigation was initiated due to a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. This lawsuit concluded in June with a settlement achieved through mediation.
As part of the terms of his suspension, Kelly had to undergo rigorous confidential assessments by an independent expert and engage in counseling with a gender-based violence specialist. Both the counseling sessions and assessments were prerequisites for Kelly's potential reinstatement. The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's psychological assessment and involved experts to review the results. Only after this thorough review did CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie finalize the decision to reinstate Kelly, culminating in an essential conversation between the two.
First Steps Post-Reinstatement
Kelly wasted no time rejoining his team, participating in Sunday’s practice where he took approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie acknowledged Kelly’s return fondly, noting, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
Despite the positive reintegration into the team, Dinwiddie expressed caution over Kelly starting Thursday's game against Saskatchewan. The matchup, pitting Toronto (5-4) against Saskatchewan (5-4-1), is critical as both teams vie for positioning in the league standings. Given Kelly’s limited practice time and absence from training camp, Dinwiddie indicated that Toronto might consider splitting reps among Kelly, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle to manage the transition smoothly.
A Storied Past and a Cautious Future
Kelly's football journey has been tumultuous. He led the Argos to an outstanding 16-2 record last season, setting a franchise record in the process. However, that triumphant run ended in disappointment with a 38-17 loss to Montreal in the East Division final, a stinging defeat at home. Post-season, Kelly maintained his distance from the team during his suspension and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return.
Reflecting on his actions and the impact they have had, 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."
Management's Perspective
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons expressed his support for Kelly, emphasizing the collective effort required for his reintegration: "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 Kelly aims to rebuild his professional and personal life, the Argonauts hope to maintain their momentum on the field. With his documented stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years, and being the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Kelly's career has had its fair share of ups and downs. His release from the Broncos in 2018, following an arrest for criminal trespassing, marked a significant low point.
Now, as Kelly takes steps towards rehabilitation and accountability, he finds himself back in the fold of a team eyeing success in the CFL. The coming weeks will be critical, not just for Kelly’s reintegration but also for the Argonauts' aspirations this season. The support from his teammates and management is palpable, and with his commitment to improvement, Kelly may yet add another chapter to his complex football narrative.