Chad Kelly Returns to Toronto Argonauts Following Suspension
Chad Kelly made a significant move back onto the field on Sunday, rejoining the Toronto Argonauts after his suspension by the Canadian Football League (CFL) was lifted. The quarterback's return follows a tumultuous period where he faced discipline for violating the league's gender-based violence policy.
Kelly's suspension began on May 7, sidelining him for the Argos' two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season matches. The CFL's decision came in response to an independent investigation stemming from a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The lawsuit accused Kelly of sexual harassment while alleging wrongful dismissal by the Argonauts. Mediation led to a settlement in June.
As part of the suspension terms, Kelly underwent confidential assessments by an independent expert and attended counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. These steps were crucial for his potential reinstatement. The CFL confirmed receipt of Kelly's psychological assessment and reviewed it with the help of experts before finalizing the decision to reinstate him. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie also had a direct conversation with Kelly before the decision was made.
Upon his return, Kelly was back on the practice field, taking approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated plans to ramp up Kelly's practice workload, though he exercised caution about Kelly starting Thursday's game against Saskatchewan due to his limited practice time and absence from training camp. The possibility remains that Kelly may share playing time with other quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle.
Chad Kelly has a notable football background, having played at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, but was released in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Despite the off-field issues, Kelly proved himself on the field last season, leading the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. However, their promising run ended with a 38-17 loss to Montreal in the East Division final. Due to his suspension, Kelly has maintained a distance from the team and abstained from media interactions since his return.
Speaking about his return, 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."
His sentiment was echoed by those around him. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie remarked, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building." Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons added, "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 gear up for their next game, the focus will be not just on Kelly's performance and reintegration into the team but also on the broader endeavor to foster an environment of growth and accountability. Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, faces Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. The coaching staff's cautious optimism about Kelly's readiness highlights the complexities of balancing team performance with the individual's journey of redemption and responsibility.
The upcoming game will not only test Kelly's readiness and the Argonauts' adaptability but also serve as an important marker in the team's ongoing efforts to move past recent controversies and refocus on their goals for the season.