Chad Kelly made a marked return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly’s return comes after a significant suspension tied to a violation of the league's gender-based violence policy.
Suspension and Investigation
On May 7, Kelly faced a suspension encompassing the Argos' two exhibition games along with the first nine regular-season contests. This suspension stemmed from an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was eventually settled in June through mediation.
As part of his suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and participate in counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. The completion of these measures was crucial for his consideration for reinstatement.
Path to Reinstatement
The CFL confirmed the receipt of Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and undertook a thorough review with the assistance of experts before arriving at a decision regarding his return. Prior to his reinstatement being finalized, Kelly engaged in a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Upon his return, Kelly partook in Sunday's practice, taking about 70% of the snaps with the starting offense. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated plans to ramp up Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions.
Dinwiddie exercised caution regarding Kelly starting in Thursday's game against Saskatchewan, given his limited practice time and absence from training camp. To ensure the team’s preparedness, Kelly might share reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Team Dynamics and Reactions
During his suspension, Kelly distanced himself from the team and refrained from speaking to the media upon his return. Despite the challenges, Kelly’s reappearance on the field was met with positive reactions.
"It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," said Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie, reflecting the team's receptive attitude.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the collective effort moving forward. "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."
Challenges and Future Prospects
Kelly's football journey has been nothing short of eventful. He led the Argos to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season, only to see their run end with a significant loss to Montreal in the East Division final. Kelly’s performance and leadership contributed to a successful season, albeit concluding with a 38-17 defeat to the eventual Grey Cup champions.
Throughout his career, the quarterback's path has traversed through various colleges including Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. In the professional arena, Kelly was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, but his tenure with the team ended in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Addressing his recent suspension and the subsequent return, Kelly expressed remorse and a commitment to positive change. "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."
The Toronto Argonauts, currently at a 5-4 record, are set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Kelly's readiness and integration back into the team will undoubtedly be a focal point as the Argonauts aim to solidify their standing and continue their pursuit of excellence on the field.