TORONTO – Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly publicly apologized Tuesday for his conduct that led to his suspension for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.

Kelly’s apology came two days after he was conditionally reinstated by the CFL. The league had suspended Kelly for Toronto’s two tryouts and at least the first nine games of the regular season on May 7 for his violation.

“I’m sorry for my actions. I’m sorry for what I did,” Kelly told the assembled media – including nine television cameras – after Toronto’s practice at Lamport Stadium. “I’ve affected a lot of people – my teammates, my coaches, wives, my family. I feel bad about the situation that happened.”

“I’ve grown, I’ve learned not only in the last few months, but every day I try to get better, be a better person, a better teammate and a better man. I just want everyone to know that I’m sorry and that I’m going to be better and a better teammate and person because of this.”

The CFL said Sunday the terms were confidential and would not be disclosed.

Kelly did not provide details on the circumstances that led to his suspension from the league, but it followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former Argos strength and conditioning coach against Kelly for sexual harassment and against the team for wrongful termination. The lawsuit was settled through mediation in June.

“I know what I have to do and what’s at stake every day,” Kelly said. “I’m thankful to have a group of people around me, but yes, I’m going to strive to do exactly what it takes to make sure that I stay on the football field, I stay to be a better person.”

“There is always more to do. This is not just over and done with. There is always more work that needs to be done.”

Kelly initially publicly denied the harassment allegations and said he wanted to defend himself and seek dismissal. The CFL’s standout player last season said he didn’t realize the consequences of his actions until he took time to reflect.

“I would say that over the course of these months, you realise what has actually been done and achieved,” he said. “This person (the complainant) obviously deserves all the respect, regardless of gender.”

“Everyone puts a lot of time and effort into perfecting their craft and no one should have to go through the heartache and mental distress that people who are affected by it have to go through… I focus on being with my teammates and trying to impart knowledge to them about what is right and what is wrong.”

Kelly declined to say whether he had contacted the complainant and apologized personally.

During his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential evaluations by an independent expert and attend mandatory counseling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. Both the counseling sessions and evaluations had to be satisfactorily completed before the CFL could consider Kelly’s reinstatement, and the league reserved the right to modify its disciplinary actions.

The CFL announced on August 10 that it had received Kelly’s confidential psychological evaluation and would review the results with experts before deciding whether to reinstate Kelly. As part of that process, Kelly met with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.

“I know that mistake will not happen again,” Kelly said. “That’s why the commissioner and I talked and he believed in me and I believe he wants to help me and I will help him rebuild me and the CFL.”

“You can believe me or not, but I’m an honest guy. I think I’m authentic and sincere. I want to do better, I’m going to be better and I’m going to show everyone.”

Kelly plans to resume her community work and re-establish contact with the Argos’ younger and female fans.

“It’s just about being able to feel comfortable again and making everyone else feel comfortable around me because I’ve impacted a lot of people, not just the person themselves,” Kelly said. “I know it takes time, I know it’s going to take a lot of effort, but I’m here for it.”

“I’m facing it head on. I have to do better, and I will do better.”

Kelly won’t have to wait long for a chance to impress the Argos faithful on the football field. On Thursday night, he will play for Toronto (5-4) against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-1).

“I wanted to see it (on Tuesday) and about halfway through practice I had made up my mind,” Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. “I want (the fans) to know that Chad has sincerely apologized and that he is in the process of getting better and learning from this mistake.”

“Chad is learning from this, he’s going to continue to grow and that’s just the state of things where we are right now.”

With Kelly back in the fold, Toronto released second-year guard Bryan Scott. He played in all nine of Toronto’s games but only appeared in the club’s 30-20 loss to Montreal on June 28, where he completed all five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

“We couldn’t keep him on the practice squad, we didn’t have room there and unfortunately we couldn’t keep four (quarterbacks),” Dinwiddie said. “Bryan has done good things for us, we still believe in him.”

“I even told him (on Tuesday) that it wouldn’t shock me if we tried to bring him back at some point.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 20, 2024.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press