Chad Kelly made a notable return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday after the Canadian Football League (CFL) reinstated him. Kelly had been under suspension since May 7, missing two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests due to a violation of the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The CFL's action followed an independent investigation spurred by a lawsuit from a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. This lawsuit was resolved in June through mediation, but the terms of Kelly's suspension required him to complete confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert to be eligible for reinstatement.
After fulfilling these mandates, Kelly's psychological assessment was reviewed by the CFL with the assistance of specialists. Before the final decision on his return, Kelly also had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, underscoring the league's thorough approach to the reinstatement process.
Kelly's return to the field began with Sunday's practice, where he took about 70% of the starting offense snaps. This measured approach towards reintegration reflects both the Argonauts' caution and their strategic planning. Toronto's head coach Ryan Dinwiddie commented on this phased return, noting, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
The road back to full participation will include increasing Kelly's workload during Monday's practice sessions. However, Dinwiddie is cautious about rushing Kelly into the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Saskatchewan, especially given Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp. Therefore, Kelly is expected to share reps with quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly's football journey has been tumultuous. His college career included stops at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos, but his tenure there was cut short in 2018 after an arrest for criminal trespassing.
During his time with the Argonauts, Kelly had an impactful season, leading the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 mark last year. Their campaign concluded with a disappointing 38-17 defeat to eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal in the East Division final. Despite his dynamic performance on the field, his off-field challenges have cast a long shadow.
Upon his return, Kelly chose to maintain a low profile and refrained from speaking to the media. In a statement, he expressed remorse and a commitment to personal growth, stating, "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." This declaration highlights Kelly’s acknowledgment of the gravity of his actions and his pledge to move forward responsibly.
The Argonauts' management echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collective effort needed to rebuild and strengthen team culture. General Manager Mike Clemons remarked, "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."
As Toronto prepares to host Saskatchewan, both the team's management and fans are cautiously optimistic about Kelly’s return and the potential impact on their season's trajectory. While his presence on the field is a welcomed boost, the organization's focus remains on fostering a supportive and accountable team environment.
With Kelly’s return, the Argonauts must balance the immediate benefits of his on-field capabilities with the long-term goal of maintaining a disciplined and respectful team culture. His journey back to the team underscores a broader narrative of redemption, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field.