Chad Kelly made a notable comeback to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback's return marks the end of a significant hiatus, as he had been suspended since May 7 for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
A Lengthy Suspension
Kelly's suspension involved missing both of the Argos' exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. This disciplinary action followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was settled through mediation in June.
As part of the conditions for his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. The successful completion of these conditions was necessary for Kelly to be considered for reinstatement.
The CFL confirmed that it had received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and would review the results with the assistance of experts before making a final decision on his return. Kelly also engaged in a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie before his reinstatement was finalized.
Return to Practice
Back on the practice field, Kelly participated in Sunday's session, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie commented on Kelly's return, stating, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
Dinwiddie mentioned plans to increase Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions, but he also expressed caution regarding Kelly starting the upcoming game on Thursday. Considering Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp, it is likely that he will share reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
An Accomplished Past
Kelly's return to the gridiron follows a period of considerable success. Last season, he led the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. However, their impressive run came to an abrupt end with a 38-17 home loss to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
The quarterback has kept his distance from the team during his suspension and has refrained from speaking to the media upon his return. In a reflective statement, Kelly said, "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."
Past Challenges
Kelly's football journey has been fraught with challenges and controversies. During his college years, he had stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, who later released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
A Broader Perspective
As Kelly begins to reintegrate with the Argonauts, the team's management highlights the importance of continued growth and accountability. Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons noted, "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."
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Kelly’s potential return to active play is being closely monitored, with the coaching staff weighing the benefits of his experience against the risks of reintroducing him too quickly after a long period away from the game.
As the Argonauts navigate this transitional phase, the focus remains on fostering a positive and supportive team environment, ensuring that both Kelly and the organization can move forward productively.