Former Ole Miss Rebels and current Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly was re-hired by the Canadian Football League on Sunday under a “last-chance agreement,” ESPN reported.
Kelly was suspended by the CFL on May 7 for Toronto’s two tryouts and the first nine games of the regular season for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy. That suspension came after a former strength and conditioning coach filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Kelly and a wrongful discharge lawsuit against the Argonauts.
The litigation was settled in June, and the league said Sunday that it had reinstated Kelly under this “last chance” agreement “provided he continues to meet a number of ongoing conditions,” although those conditions are confidential and will not be made public. According to a league statement, those conditions “reflect the need for (Kelly) to continue to demonstrate his commitment to upholding league standards.”
The Argos beat Calgary 39-25 in their ninth regular season game of the season on August 9 and currently have an overall record of 5-4. Kelly has not played for his team since the loss to Montreal in last season’s East Division final.
Kelly was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player last season after throwing for 4,100 yards and 23 touchdowns in a 16-2 season for the Argos. While at Ole Miss in 2015-16, Kelly threw for 6,800 yards and 50 touchdowns, along with 21 interceptions. He was also instrumental in leading the Rebels to a victory in the Sugar Bowl to cap off the 2015 season.
