Chad Kelly Returns to Toronto Argonauts After Suspension
Chad Kelly made his anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL) after a significant absence. The quarterback had been suspended on May 7 for the team’s two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests due to a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The suspension followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and alleged wrongful dismissal by the Argonauts. The lawsuit was settled in June through mediation. Under the terms of his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert, all of which had to be completed satisfactorily for his reinstatement to be considered.
Before his return was finalized, Kelly participated in a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and submitted a confidential psychological assessment, which the CFL reviewed with the aid of experts. With all conditions met, Kelly rejoined the Argonauts, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps during Sunday’s practice session.
"I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts, and the CFL," Kelly expressed. "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."
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie echoed the sentiment of a supportive return, noting Kelly’s enthusiastic reception from his teammates. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie said. Despite these positive developments, Dinwiddie indicated that Kelly's potential participation in the upcoming game against Saskatchewan would be evaluated cautiously. Given his absence from training camp and limited practice time, Kelly might share reps with fellow quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
The game on Thursday pits Toronto (5-4) against Saskatchewan (5-4-1), with the Argonauts aiming to maintain their competitive form. Last season, Kelly led the team to an exceptional 16-2 record, the best in the league and a franchise milestone. However, their season ended with a disappointing 38-17 defeat at home to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
Kelly's professional journey has been a turbulent one. His college years saw him transition from Clemson to East Mississippi Community College and then to Mississippi. In 2017, he was the last pick in the NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. Kelly’s tenure with the Broncos was short-lived, as the team released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Kelly's return to the Argonauts signifies a new chapter in his career, emphasizing accountability and personal growth. Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons underscored the importance of this step. "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 stated.
As Kelly integrates back into the team and ramps up his practice activities, the Argonauts will be monitoring his progress closely. Their strategy in the upcoming games will likely reflect a measured approach, balancing caution with the drive to leverage Kelly’s skills, as they push forward in the CFL season.