The Canadian Football League on Sunday reinstated Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly on a last-chance agreement provided that he continues to meet a number of ongoing conditions.
“I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally,” said Chad Kelly. “I recognize 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. With that commitment in mind, I have accepted the league’s conditions of reinstatement, including its last chance agreement.”
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambroise suspended Chad Kelly on May 7, 2024, for a minimum of nine games based on the findings of a thorough third-party investigation into allegations made against him. During his suspension, Chad Kelly was required to attend psychological assessments and mandatory counseling sessions conducted by an independent expert in the field of gender-based violence. He completed his suspension on August 9, 2024.
“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,” said general manager Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons. “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.”
The CFL received Kelly’s final assessment on August 10, 2024, and the league immediately began a thorough review process of its findings. The CFL sought guidance from an expert who specializes in gender-based violence and met with the psychologist and counselor who worked with him. He then took part in an in-person discussion with Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
“The Argos and MLSE take this issue extremely seriously, in keeping with our unwavering commitment to maintaining a work environment where individuals are treated with respect and dignity and that is free from discrimination and harassment,” said MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley. “The organization will implement a comprehensive education program, focused on this issue, to ensure all team members and staff are properly equipped with the awareness and skills to protect against this issue occurring in the future.”
According to the CFL, the ongoing mandatory conditions surrounding Kelly’s reinstatement reflect the need for him to demonstrate a continued commitment to upholding league standards. These conditions are confidential and will not be disclosed.
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.
Kelly 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.
