Chad Kelly's Return to the Argos: A Complex Comeback
Chad Kelly made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday following his reinstatement by the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kelly’s reinstatement marks the end of a suspension that began on May 7, which sidelined him for two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season matchups.
The suspension stemmed from a violation of the CFL’s gender-based violence policy, with the decision following an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach. The suit accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The matter reached a settlement in June through mediation, yet Kelly’s return to the field required more than just legal resolution.
As part of the suspension terms, Kelly was subjected to confidential assessments by an independent expert and attended counseling sessions with a gender-based violence specialist. Completing these assessments and counseling was a prerequisite for consideration of his reinstatement. The CFL confirmed it had received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment, which was reviewed with the assistance of experts before finalizing his return.
In the build-up to his reinstatement, Kelly had a crucial conversation with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. With the commissioner’s nod, Kelly rejoined the Argos, participating in practice and taking about 70% of the starting offense snaps on Sunday. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted plans to escalate Kelly’s workload during Monday’s practice sessions to reintegrate him fully into the team’s operations. "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building," Dinwiddie said.
Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is gearing up to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Dinwiddie expressed caution regarding Kelly starting the game, citing his limited practice time and absence from training camp. The team plans that Kelly will potentially split reps with Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly’s return is underscored by a significant period of absence since Toronto’s loss to Montreal in the East Division final last year. During his suspension, Kelly maintained his distance from the team and avoided any media interactions. The Argonauts, who boasted a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record under Kelly’s leadership last season, saw their dream run conclude in a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal.
"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 emphasized the importance of this juncture for Kelly and 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 remarked.
Kelly’s football journey has been turbulent, including college stints at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi. 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.
As Kelly steps back onto the field, the focus will not only be on his performance but also on his ability to integrate back into the team and uphold the commitment to bettering himself. The Argonauts and their fans will watch closely as Kelly endeavors to rebuild trust, showing that his time away from the game has brought a new perspective and a renewed dedication to his career and personal growth.