Former Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly Reinstated to CFL Via ‘Last Chance’ Agreement; League’s 2023 Most Outstanding Player Returns to Argos
OXFORD, Miss. — Former Ole Miss and current Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly has been reinstated by the Canadian Football League, in what was described by ESPN reports Sunday as a “last-chance agreement.”
According to reports, Kelly took roughly 70 percent of the starting offense snaps in Sunday’s practice, and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said he plans to increase Kelly’s workload Tuesday before Toronto (5-4) hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-1) on Thursday night.
The Argonauts announced that following the completion of an extensive personal counselling program that QB Chad Kelly will rejoin the team for practice today.#CFL pic.twitter.com/htWWsLQLRI
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 18, 2024
CFL Statement on Kelly’s Reinstatement
“The Canadian Football League (CFL) has reinstated Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly on a last-chance agreement provided that he continues to meet a number of ongoing conditions,” the league said in its released statement.
“The ongoing mandatory conditions surrounding Mr. Kelly’s reinstatement reflect the need for him to demonstrate a continued commitment to upholding league standards.”
Who and What?
A former strength and conditioning coach had levied charges against Kelly and the Argonauts for wrongful termination. Then, 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 lawsuit with the former Argos staffer was settled in June.
Today, the CFL commented that it has re-instated Kelly on this “last-chance agreement,” but only “provided that he continues to meet a number of on-going conditions.”
It is worth noting those conditions are currently confidential and not available to the public.
Under the terms of the suspension, Kelly had to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend mandatory counseling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert.
He was required to complete both the counseling sessions and assessments before the CFL would consider Kelly’s reinstatement.
The Argos weigh in
“This is an important step for Chad, who has taken full accountability for his actions and represents just the beginning of his ongoing commitment to bettering himself and learning from this experience,” Argos general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons said Sunday.
“There continues to be much work to do to strengthen our team culture and we are all committed with Chad’s return, to work on this together, as a team.”
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 issued by the Argos.
“I recognize that this is just one step in the process of bettering myself, but it is an important one, and I am committed to doing what is needed to be a better teammate, colleague and person. With that commitment in mind, I have accepted the League’s conditions of reinstatement, including its ‘Last Chance Agreement‘.”
Chad Kelly
The Kelly File
Kelly was named the CFL’s most outstanding player last season after throwing for over 4,100 yards and 23 touchdowns in a 16-2 campaign for the Argos.
While at Ole Miss, Kelly threw for 6,800 yards and 50 touchdowns alongside 21 interceptions. He was also key in leading the Rebels to a Sugar Bowl win to conclude the 2015 season.
Kelly has not suited up for his team since it lost to Montreal in last season’s East Division final.
We wish Chad the best of luck in his ‘Last Chance’ return.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer 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 created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
