The CFL has lifted the suspension of Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy, the league announced Sunday.
His reinstatement is subject to a “last chance agreement” that requires Kelly to meet certain conditions set by the league to remain eligible to play. Details of those conditions are being kept confidential.
Both the league and the team confirmed that Kelly had completed the mandatory psychological evaluations and a personal counseling program required as part of his suspension.
“I apologize for my actions and the impact they have had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts and the CFL,” Kelly said in a statement issued by the team. opinion. “I understand this is just one step on the path to my personal growth, but it is an important step and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to be a better teammate, colleague and person. With that commitment in mind, I have accepted the league’s terms of reinstatement, including their ‘Last Chance Agreement.'”
Kelly met with Commissioner Randy Ambrosie this week after serving the ninth game of his suspension. His representatives rejected the CFL’s request to include a “last chance” agreement, arguing that such a clause would violate his rights under the collective bargaining agreement, TSN’s Dave Naylor reported Friday.
Kelly was originally suspended for at least nine regular-season games in May after a former Argonauts strength and conditioning coach filed suit against him in February for allegedly violating the Ontario Human Rights Code. The woman, who also sued the team for wrongful dismissal, said Kelly made unwanted romantic advances toward her while she was working for the team and then made threats against her.
Kelly denied the allegations in his defense, while the Argos claimed to have no knowledge of his conduct. Both he and the team settled the lawsuits out of court in June.
The Argos confirmed that Kelly will rejoin the team for practice on Sunday, but have not yet announced whether he will play in the next game on Thursday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He will not speak directly to the media until Tuesday, according to Matthew Scianitti of TSN.
Kelly was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023 after leading the Argos to a 16-2 regular-season record. The 30-year-old signed a three-year contract extension last fall that made him the highest-paid player in the league.
The Argos are in third place in the East Division with a record of 5-4 through nine games in 2024. Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle shared quarterback duties during Kelly’s suspension.
