Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback's return comes after a suspension which sidelined him starting from May 7 for the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests due to a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The CFL's disciplinary measures followed an independent investigation instigated by a lawsuit from a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The case was settled through mediation in June, but the suspension dictated that Kelly undergo confidential assessments and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert as a prerequisite for reinstatement.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie had a significant conversation with Kelly before giving the final nod to his return. Reflecting on his actions, Kelly expressed remorse and a commitment to personal improvement. “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 said.
Integration into Practice
Kelly's reinstatement coincided with his participation in Sunday's practice, where he took about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie was visibly pleased to see Kelly back with the team. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie mentioned. Yet, he exercised caution on Kelly's potential start in Thursday night's game against Saskatchewan, given the quarterback's limited practice time and absence from training camp.
With Toronto set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1), Dinwiddie plans to gradually increase Kelly's workload during upcoming practice sessions. Kelly may share reps with other Argos quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle, to ensure the team is prepared for their pivotal match-up.
Past and Present Challenges
Kelly's absence from the Argos followed a standout season where he led the team to a franchise-record 16-2 finish, only to be halted by a 38-17 loss to Montreal in the East Division final. The significant off-field issues have kept Kelly distant from the team during his suspension, and he has notably abstained from engaging with the media since his return. The quarterback's journey also includes previous 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. His tenure with Denver was cut short in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Despite these setbacks, the Argonauts have shown cautious optimism with General Manager Mike Clemons underscoring the steps ahead. "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 conveyed.
As Kelly reintegrates with the Argonauts, both he and the organization face the pressing need to balance his on-field contributions with a continued commitment to accountability and personal growth. Whether or not Kelly steps in as the starting quarterback against Saskatchewan, his progress off the field will be as closely watched as his performance on it.