In a significant development for the Toronto Argonauts, Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the team on Sunday after being reinstated by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly's return marks the end of a suspension that saw him benched for two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy.
The suspension came in the wake of an independent investigation triggered by a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The case, which reached a settlement in June through mediation, has cast a long shadow over the player and the franchise.
Kelly's Rehabilitation Journey
Under the terms of his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and participate in counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. The assessments and counseling had to be satisfactorily completed for Kelly to be considered for reinstatement. The CFL has confirmed receipt of Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and is in the process of reviewing the results with the assistance of experts.
Returning to Football
Upon his return, Kelly was seen taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps during Sunday’s practice. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated plans to gradually increase Kelly's workload during the upcoming practice sessions. Despite readying Kelly for a return to the field, Dinwiddie exercised caution regarding the likelihood of Kelly starting in Thursday night’s game against Saskatchewan. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie shared.
Toronto (5-4) is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1), and Kelly’s limited practice time combined with his absence from training camp makes it uncertain if he will start. The team is likely to see Kelly splitting reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly, who has been away from the team since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final, led his team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season. Their impressive run was cut short by a 38-17 home defeat to eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal.
Rebuilding Trust
Kelly maintained minimal contact with his team during his suspension and abstained from speaking to the media upon his return. Expressing remorse for his actions, Kelly stated, "I am sorry for my actions and the impact they have 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 sentiment was echoed by Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons, who 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."
The Road Ahead
Kelly’s journey in football has been a tumultuous one, featuring 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, only to be released in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing. His reinstatement by the CFL and return to the Argonauts echoes a deeper narrative of redemption and the continuous effort to rebuild trust both within the team and the wider sports community.
The Argonauts, currently holding a 5-4 record, are focused on their impending clash with Saskatchewan, a game that will test the team's resilience and Kelly's readiness to rejoin the competitive fray. As the team navigates this challenging chapter, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Kelly, whose actions and performance will be scrutinized closely by fans and critics alike.