Chad Kelly's Return to Toronto Argonauts: A Path to Redemption
Chad Kelly has made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly had been sidelined since May 7, when he was suspended for two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy. His suspension followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal.
The lawsuit reached a settlement in June through mediation, but Kelly’s return was contingent upon his compliance with several stipulations. Under the suspension terms, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. It was only after satisfactorily completing these assessments and counseling that Kelly could be considered for reinstatement.
The CFL confirmed receipt of Kelly’s confidential psychological assessment and enlisted the help of experts to review the results before making a final decision. Before his reinstatement was finalized, Kelly also had a conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Kelly participated in Sunday’s practice, taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicated plans to increase Kelly’s workload during Monday's practice sessions. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie commented.
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Despite the excitement surrounding Kelly's return, Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding whether Kelly would start the game, given his limited practice time and absence from training camp. Kelly will potentially split reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes, and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
This marks Kelly’s return to action since Toronto's loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final. Kelly, who maintained his distance from the team during his suspension and has abstained from speaking to the media upon his return, led the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season. Their impressive run ended with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal.
Reflecting on his actions and the road ahead, 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 echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of Kelly's accountability and the collective effort required to strengthen 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 said.
Kelly's football journey has been one of highs and lows. During his college years, he had stints 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 time in the NFL was cut short in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing, leading to his release from the team.
As Kelly steps back onto the field, the Argonauts and their fans are hopeful for a smooth transition and a positive impact on the team's performance. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be critical for Kelly as he integrates back into the team, with the arising challenges and opportunities forming the next chapter of his professional career.