Chad Kelly made a significant return to the Toronto Argonauts lineup on Sunday after being reinstated by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback had been suspended on May 7 for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, a decision that came following an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. Kelly was accused of sexual harassment, and the Argonauts were implicated in wrongful dismissal allegations. The lawsuit was eventually settled through mediation in June.
Conditions of Reinstatement
In order to be considered for reinstatement, Kelly was subjected to multiple mandatory conditions under the terms of his suspension. These included undergoing confidential assessments by an independent expert and attending counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. His reinstatement hinged on the satisfactory completion of these assessments and counseling sessions.
The CFL confirmed it had received results from Kelly's confidential psychological assessment. With assistance from experts, the league reviewed the findings before finalizing his return. Moreover, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie as part of the reinstatement process.
Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie shared the team's sentiments upon Kelly's return: "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
Back on the Field
Sunday marked Kelly’s first practice since his suspension, where he took about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Dinwiddie mentioned plans to increase Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions. However, there is a degree of caution regarding Kelly's participation in the upcoming game due to his limited practice time and absence from training camp.
The Argonauts, who currently have a 5-4 record, are set to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Given Kelly's time away from the team, Dinwiddie indicated that Kelly might split reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
A Path to Redemption
The road to reinstatement has also been a journey of personal accountability for Kelly. Reflecting on his suspension and the steps he has taken towards making amends, Kelly stated, "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."
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons also acknowledged Kelly's efforts towards personal development: "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."
Looking Forward
Kelly, who maintained distance from the team and refrained from speaking to the media during his suspension, has a storied football journey that includes collegiate stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. In 2017, he was the final pick in the NFL Draft, chosen by the Denver Broncos, who released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Last season, Kelly was instrumental in leading the Argonauts to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record. However, their promising run ended with a 38-17 loss to the eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal Alouettes, in the East Division final. His talent and leadership on the field are unquestionable, but his return comes with the weight of proving his commitment both as a player and as a person dedicated to making positive changes.
As Kelly reintegrates with the team, all eyes will be on his performance and ongoing actions, both on and off the field. The Argonauts, holding a cautiously optimistic stance, look to navigate the remainder of the season with the hope that Kelly's return will contribute significantly to their success.