The Canadian Football League announced Saturday that it has begun a thorough review of the potential reinstatement of Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly. No timeline for an official resolution was given.
“In addition to the terms of the suspension letter dated May 7, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has received its final evaluation regarding Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly.
The CFL has now initiated a thorough review process with the help of subject matter experts, which must be completed before it can make a decision on possible reinstatement.
On May 7, the CFL imposed a minimum nine-game suspension on Mr. Kelly based on the results of a thorough third-party investigation into the allegations against him. During his suspension, Mr. Kelly was required to attend mandatory counseling sessions with an independent expert in the field of gender-based violence before undergoing a confidential psychological evaluation.
There will be no further comment on this matter until a decision has been made on next steps.”
Chad Kelly has been suspended nine games by the CFL for violating its gender-based violence policy. The suspension came after a former Toronto conditioning coach filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Toronto Argonauts and quarterback Chad Kelly.
According to TSN reporter Rick Westhead, the former employee claimed that Chad Kelly “repeatedly attempted to develop romantic relationships by asking her out on multiple dates. Despite her polite refusals, Chad persisted with his advances and exhibited a pattern of behavior that raised concerns.” Chad Kelly later denied the allegations.
During Kelly’s absence, quarterbacks Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle led the team to a 5-4 record, putting them in third place in the East Division. The Argonauts have next week off before facing the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Chad Kelly is 6’2″ and weighs 215 pounds. The 30-year-old from Buffalo, New York, led the Argonauts to a historic 16-2 season, 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, earning him 2023 CFL East All-Star, CFL All-Star and CFL Most Outstanding Player honors.
In 2022, Kelly was the backup quarterback for 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, starting one and helping the Argonauts win their 18th Grey Cup championship over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109thth Grey Cup in Regina.
Kelly was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round (253rd He was the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He appeared in one game for Denver in 2018, ending the first half of a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams with a kneeling position.
After Toronto, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 20, 2019. He was on the practice squad for several seasons before being released and later retired from football and worked as an offensive line coach at East Mississippi Community College.
At the college level, 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.
He then transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2014, where in 12 games for the Lions, he completed 303 of 453 passes (66.9%) for 3,906 yards, 47 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 69 carries for 446 yards and one touchdown. He led the Lions to a 12-0 record and a victory in the NJCAA National Football Championship.
Kelly then transferred to the University of Mississippi (2015-16) and completed 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 voted the 2016 Sugar Bowl MVP.
