The Canadian Football League announced on Saturday they have begun a thorough review of the potential reinstatement of Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly. No timeline was given for an official resolution.
“Further to the terms and conditions of the May 7 suspension letter, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has received the final assessment relating to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly.
The CFL has now begun a thorough review process with the help of subject matter experts, which will need to be completed before it makes a determination on possible reinstatement.
On May 7, the CFL levied a suspension for a minimum of nine games against Mr. Kelly, based on the findings of a thorough third-party investigation into allegations made against him. Over the course of his suspension, Mr. Kelly was required to attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by an independent expert in the field of gender-based violence, before undergoing a confidential psychological assessment.
There will be no further comment on the matter until a decision on next steps has been reached.”
Chad Kelly was suspended for nine games by the CFL for violating a gender-based violence policy. The suspension came after a former Toronto female strength and conditioning coach filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Toronto Argonauts and quarterback Chad Kelly.
According to TSN reporter Rick Westhead, the ex-employee claimed that Chad Kelly “repeatedly sought to initiate romantic connections by asking her out on numerous occasions. Despite her polite refusals, Chad persisted in his advances, displaying a pattern of behavior that raised concerns.” Chad Kelly later denied the allegations.
During Kelly’s absence, quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle have led the team to a 5-4 record sitting in third place in the East Division. The Argonauts have a bye next week before they face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
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.
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.
Next, 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.
Then, 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.
