VAUGHAN, Ontario — Quarterback Chad Kelly rejoined the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday after being cleared to return by the Canadian Football League.
Kelly, last year’s CFL Most Outstanding Player, was suspended May 7 for Toronto’s two exhibition games and at least the first nine regular-season games for violating the CFL’s sexual assault policy.
The league said in a statement Sunday that Kelly was being reinstated “for one final time, subject to continuing to meet certain continuing conditions.”
The league said the terms are confidential and will not be made public, but “reflect the need to demonstrate his continuing commitment to remain in compliance with league standards.”
The CFL suspension is the result of an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength and conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argos of wrongful termination. The suit was settled through mediation in June.
“This marks an important step for Chad. He takes full responsibility for his actions and it is just the beginning of his ongoing commitment to learn from this experience and continue to improve himself,” Argos general manager Mike Clemons said Sunday. “While there is still much work to do to strengthen our team culture, we are all committed to working together as a team in Chad’s return.”
As a condition of her suspension, Kelly was required to undergo a confidential assessment by an independent expert and attend counselling sessions led by an expert on gender-based violence.
Both the counseling sessions and evaluation must be completed satisfactorily before the CFL will consider reinstating Kelly, and the league reserved the right to modify Kelly’s punishment.
The CFL announced last weekend that it would receive a confidential psychological evaluation of Kelly and complete a review of the results with the help of experts before making a decision on Kelly’s return.
Kelly then met with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosi.
Toronto beat Calgary 39-25 at home on August 9 in their ninth regular season game.
Kelly, 30, has not played for the team since Toronto lost to Montreal in last year’s Eastern Conference final. He has been away from the team during his suspension and did not make media available on Sunday.
“I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on so many people, the Toronto Argonauts and the CFL,” Kelly said in a statement issued by the Argos. “I know this is just one step in my journey to improve myself, but it is an important one, and I intend to do what is necessary to better myself as a teammate, colleague and person.”
Kelly, the nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, handled about 70 percent of the starting offensive snaps in practice Sunday, and coach Ryan Dinwiddie said he plans to increase Kelly’s workload on Monday.
Toronto (5-4) will host Saskatchewan (5-4-1) on Thursday night.
“It’s good to have him back,” Dinwiddie said after practice. “His teammates were excited to see him back in the building.”
Dinwiddie said it might be asking too much for Kelly to start Thursday without limited practice and training camp.
He left open the possibility that Kelly could share practice duties with Toronto’s other two quarterbacks, Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly played collegiately at Clemson University, East Mississippi Community College and the University of Mississippi.
He was the last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. The team waived him in 2018 after he was arrested on trespassing charges.
Kelly led Toronto to a league-best and franchise-record 16-2 record last season. The Argos’ season ended with a 38-17 home loss to eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final.
