Chad Kelly's Return: A Path Towards Redemption
On Sunday, Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts, following reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). The quarterback had been absent since May 7 due to a suspension for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
Kelly's suspension stemmed from an independent investigation related to a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. This lawsuit concluded with a mediated settlement in June.
The terms of Kelly's suspension mandated him to undergo confidential assessments conducted by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These steps were prerequisites for his potential reinstatement.
After completing the necessary assessments and counseling, Kelly had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie before his reinstatement was finalized. The league confirmed receipt of Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and engaged experts to review the results, marking the final step in his return process.
First Practice Back
Upon his return, Kelly actively participated in practice, taking approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted that there are plans to gradually increase Kelly's workload during upcoming practices.
"It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie remarked, highlighting the positive morale boost Kelly's return provided the team.
Toronto, boasting a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Although Kelly's recent absence from training camp and limited practice time make it uncertain whether he will start, there are plans for him to split reps with quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Long Road to Reinstatement
Kelly maintained his distance from the team throughout his suspension and avoided media interactions upon his return. His absence was felt, particularly given his significant contribution to the team last season, where he led Toronto to a franchise-record 16-2 finish. Unfortunately, their impressive run ended with a 38-17 home loss to Montreal in the East Division final.
Reflecting on the process, Kelly expressed remorse and a commitment to self-improvement. "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," Kelly stated.
Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collective responsibility within the team. "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 asserted.
A Storied Career
Chad Kelly's football journey has been a tumultuous one, marked by stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years. He was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, who released him in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
Despite these setbacks, Kelly's talent on the field remains undeniable. His return to the Argonauts opens a new chapter not only for himself but also for a team that showed glimpses of greatness last season. The following weeks will be crucial as both Kelly and the Argonauts work towards rebuilding trust and cohesion, aiming to surpass their previous achievements.
Thursday night’s game will be the first step in this new journey, where fans, teammates, and the league will closely watch how Kelly performs, both on and off the field.