Chad Kelly's Return to the Argonauts: A Second Chance Amidst Controversy
Kelly Reinstated by CFL
Chad Kelly, one of the Canadian Football League's (CFL) most polarizing figures, made his return to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday after being reinstated by the league. Kelly had been suspended on May 7 for violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy, resulting in his absence from two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests of the 2023 season.
The suspension followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach, accusing Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argonauts of wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was settled through mediation in June.
Steps to Reinstatement
As part of the conditions for his reinstatement, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. These measures had to be satisfactorily completed before he could be considered for reinstatement. The CFL received Kelly's confidential psychological assessment and reviewed the results with the assistance of experts before making the final decision to allow his return.
In a statement, Kelly expressed remorse for his actions, saying, "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."
Back on the Field
Kelly's return was marked by his participation in Sunday's practice, where he took approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie noted the positive reception from Kelly's teammates, saying, "It was good to have him back. His teammates were excited to see him back in the building."
Despite his return to practice, whether Kelly will start the upcoming game against Saskatchewan remains uncertain. Toronto, currently holding a 5-4 record, is set to host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night. Given Kelly's limited practice time and absence from training camp, Dinwiddie expressed caution about starting him. Kelly may potentially split reps with the Argos' other quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Impact of Absence
Kelly's suspension forced him to maintain his distance from the team and abstain from speaking to the media. The absence was felt by the Argonauts, who had to adjust without their star quarterback. Last season, Kelly led the team to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record, only for their run to end with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions, Montreal, in the East Division final.
Reflecting on the Past
Kelly's football journey has been dotted with both promise and controversy. After stints with Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi during his college years, Kelly was the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. His time with the Broncos was cut short in 2018 following an arrest for criminal trespassing, leading to his release from the team.
Now back with the Argonauts, Kelly's future will depend on his adherence to the conditions set forth by the CFL and his continued commitment to personal growth. Argonauts General Manager Mike Clemons emphasized the importance of Kelly's accountability, stating, "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 Kelly reintegrates with the Argonauts, all eyes will be on whether he can channel his talents to lead the team back to success while adhering to the newfound commitments that come with his second chance. The road ahead may be challenging, but it presents an opportunity for redemption, both on and off the field.