OXFORD, Miss — Former quarterback of Ole Miss and current quarterback of the Toronto Argonauts Chad Kelly was restored by the Canadian Football League in what ESPN reported Sunday was a “last-chance agreement.”
Kelly reportedly made up about 70 percent of the offensive starting duties at Sunday’s practice, and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said he plans to increase Kelly’s workload on Tuesday before Toronto (5-4) hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-1) on Thursday night.
The Argonauts announced that quarterback Chad Kelly will return to practice with the team today after completing an extensive personal counseling program.#CFL pic.twitter.com/htWWsLQLRI
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) 18 August 2024
CFL statement on Kelly’s reinstatement
“The Canadian Football League (CFL) has reinstated Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly under a last-chance agreement, contingent on his continuing compliance with a number of ongoing conditions,” the league said in a statement released.
“The continued conditions for Mr. Kelly’s reinstatement reflect the need for him to continue to demonstrate his commitment to compliance with league standards.”
Who and what?
A former strength and conditioning coach had filed charges against Kelly and the Argonauts for wrongful termination. On May 7, the CFL suspended Chad for Toronto’s first nine games of the regular season for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy.
The legal dispute with the former Argos employee was settled in June.
Today, the CFL announced it had reinstated Kelly under this “last chance agreement,” but only “provided he continues to meet a number of ongoing conditions.”
It is worth noting that these terms are currently confidential and not publicly available.
As a result of the suspension, Kelly was required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend mandatory counselling sessions with a gender-based violence expert.
He had to complete both counseling sessions and evaluations before the CFL would consider Kelly’s reinstatement.
The Argos are involved
“This is an important step for Chad, who has taken full responsibility for his actions and represents just the beginning of his continued commitment to better himself and learn from this experience,” Argos general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons said Sunday.
“There is still a lot of work to be done to strengthen our team culture and we are all committed to working on it together as a team with Chad’s return.”
Argos GM Mike Clemons
Kelly apologizes in statement
“I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts and the CFL,” Kelly said in a statement from the Argos.
“I realize this is just one step on the path to my personal improvement, but it is an important step and I am committed to doing everything I can to be a better teammate, colleague and person. With that commitment in mind, I have accepted the league’s terms of reinstatement, including the Last Chance Agreement‘.”
Chad Kelly
The Kelly File
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.
At Ole Miss, Kelly threw for 6,800 yards and 50 touchdowns, along with 21 interceptions. He was also instrumental in leading the Rebels to a Sugar Bowl victory at the end of the 2015 season.
Kelly has not played for his team since his team lost to Montreal in last season’s East Division final.
We wish Chad good luck on his “Last Chance” return.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has been covering sports for over two decades and began her journalism career as a sportswriter for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn founded the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and editor-in-chief since its inception.
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