Chad Kelly made his much-awaited return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, bringing renewed hope and stirring a mix of reactions from fans, teammates, and league officials. Kelly’s return comes after his suspension, which began on May 7, following a violation of the Canadian Football League's (CFL) gender-based violence policy.
The CFL's decision to suspend Kelly was rooted in an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The lawsuit accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. Following months of legal proceedings, the case was settled in June through mediation, allowing paths forward for all involved.
Path to Reinstatement
As part of his suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. The completion of these assessments and counseling sessions was a prerequisite for his return. The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's psychological assessment and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before deciding on his reinstatement.
Before making his comeback, Kelly had a crucial conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, which paved the way for the league to officially reinstate him. With his reinstatement finalized, Kelly took to the practice field on Sunday, participating in approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. His presence was immediately felt, both on and off the field.
A Measured Return to Practice
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building." However, Dinwiddie expressed caution over Kelly's readiness to start in their upcoming game on Thursday night against Saskatchewan, given Kelly’s absence from training camp and limited practice time.
Kelly's playing time will potentially be shared with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle, as the team aims to balance caution with the necessity of integrating Kelly back into game scenarios. The road ahead requires careful management, both in terms of his physical readiness and ongoing personal development.
A Troubled Journey
Kelly has been absent from action since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. Despite the setback, Kelly’s leadership had previously guided the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season. Their astonishing run, however, ended with a decisive 38-17 home loss to Montreal, the eventual Grey Cup champions, in the East Division final.
During his suspension, Kelly maintained his distance from the team and chose not to speak to the media upon his return. This low profile continues a pattern in Kelly's tumultuous career, which includes collegiate stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi, and his selection as the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. His time with the Broncos came to an abrupt end in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing.
A Commitment to Change
Kelly himself acknowledged the impact of his actions and the importance of taking steps to better himself. "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, recognizing both the significance of Kelly’s return and the ongoing work required to improve team culture. "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 remarked.
Looking Forward
As Toronto (5-4) prepares to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night, the team faces the challenge of integrating Kelly back into the lineup in a way that supports his personal growth and the Argonauts’ pursuit of success on the field. With careful planning, dedicated support, and shared commitment, both Kelly and the Argonauts look to navigate this transitional period together.