Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, marking his comeback to the CFL after being reinstated by the league. Kelly's reinstatement comes following his suspension on May 7 for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, a consequence of serious allegations and an ensuing investigation.
Background and Suspension
The CFL's decision to suspend Kelly stemmed from an independent investigation into claims made by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The coach accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal, leading to a significant legal battle that concluded with a settlement through mediation in June.
Under the terms of his suspension, Kelly was mandated to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. The completion of these requirements was essential for his consideration for reinstatement.
In an official statement, Kelly expressed remorse: "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."
Reinstatement and Team Integration
The CFL confirmed it received Kelly's psychological assessment and involved experts to review the results before making a final decision on his return. A crucial part of this process was Kelly's conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, solidifying the final steps towards his reinstatement.
Upon rejoining the team, Kelly participated in Sunday’s practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expressed relief and optimism: “It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building.” Dinwiddie also indicated plans to increase Kelly’s workload in the upcoming practice sessions to get him back into game shape.
Toronto (5-4) is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night, and there remains a level of cautious optimism about Kelly's readiness. Considering Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp, Dinwiddie hinted at a measured approach: “Kelly will potentially split reps with the Argos’ other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.”
A Long Road Back
Since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final, Kelly has been out of action and maintained a distance from the team throughout his suspension. His return is anticipated to bolster the Argonauts, given his prior performance. Kelly was instrumental in leading Toronto to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season, only to see their run end with a 38-17 loss to Montreal in the East Division final.
Mike Clemons, the General Manager of the Argonauts, acknowledged the significance of Kelly’s return: “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.”
A Checkered Past
Kelly’s football journey has indeed been tumultuous. His college years saw stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi, showcasing his talent yet marred by off-field issues. Drafted by the Denver Broncos as the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kelly's ambitions in the NFL were cut short when Denver released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
His time with the Argonauts and subsequent suspension marked yet another chapter in his career, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by professional athletes both on and off the field.
As Kelly steps back onto the field, fans and teammates alike will be watching closely, hopeful that his return will positively impact the Argonauts’ season and that he can demonstrate the personal growth he has committed to.