The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Tuesday they have suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for the preseason and nine games of the 2024 regular season due to violating a gender-based violence policy.
“Players are the ambassadors of our great game,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “They are expected to be leaders in the locker room and role models in the community. It was important that we performed our due diligence to properly review this matter from all points of view. That in-depth investigation found that Mr. Kelly unequivocally violated the CFL’s Gender-based Violence Policy.
“Mr. Kelly’s suspension is the direct result of his behavior. The addition of mandatory counseling focuses on his need for self-reflection and understanding of his actions. He must take full advantage of this opportunity for personal betterment in order to return to the CFL.”
Chad Kelly is six foot two and weighs 216 pounds. The 30-year-old from Buffalo, New York, led the Argonauts to a historic season at 16-2 but Toronto lost the Eastern Final to the eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal Alouettes 38-17.
Kelly completed 270 of 394 passes (69%) for 4,123 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 41 carries for 248 yards, and eight touchdowns in 18 games on his way to being named a CFL East All-Star, CFL All-Star, and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023.
In 2022, Kelly was a backup quarterback to McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He completed 26 of 45 passes (57.8%) for 297 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, 25 carries for 137 yards, and six touchdowns in 18 games, of which he started one helping the Argonauts win their 18th Grey Cup Championship over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup in Regina.
Before Toronto, Kelly was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round (253rd pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He appeared in one game for Denver in 2018 taking a knee to end the first half in a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
After Toronto, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 20, 2019. He was on the practice squad for a couple of seasons before he was released and later stepped away from football and worked as an offensive coach at East Mississippi Community College.
Collegiately, Kelly played one season at Clemson in 2013 completing 10 of 17 passes (58.8%) for 58 yards, 16 carries for 117 yards, and one touchdown in five games for the Tigers. Then, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2014 completing 303 of 453 passes (66.9%) for 3,906 yards, 47 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 69 carries for 446 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Lions. He led the Lions to a 12-0 record and a victory in the NJCAA National Football Championship.
After East Mississippi, Kelly transferred to the University of Mississippi (2015-16) completing 503 of 786 passes (64%) for 6,800 yards, 50 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 188 carries for 832 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 22 games for the Rebels. He was named First Team All-SEC in 2015, Second Team All-SEC in 2016, and was named the Sugar Bowl MVP in 2016.
