Chad Kelly Reinstated by CFL

Chad Kelly, the Canadian Football League's (CFL) most outstanding player last year, has been reinstated following a suspension for violating the league's gender-based violence policy. Initially suspended on May 7, Kelly missed two exhibition games and the first nine regular-season contests. The CFL announced on Sunday that his reinstatement comes with a "last-chance agreement," contingent upon his adherence to confidential ongoing conditions aimed at ensuring his commitment to league standards. The suspension stemmed from a lawsuit that was settled in June through mediation. Argonauts general manager Mike Clemons expressed support for Kelly, stating that the player has taken full accountability for his actions and is committed to personal growth. The CFL had previously received Kelly's psychological assessment and is working with experts to evaluate the results before finalizing his reinstatement. Kelly, who has not played since the Argonauts' loss to Montreal in last year's East Division final, publicly apologized for his actions and their impact on the team and the league. In practice, he participated in approximately 70% of the starting offense snaps, with coach Ryan Dinwiddie indicating plans to increase his workload in the coming days. While it may be challenging for Kelly to start in the upcoming game due to limited practice time, Dinwiddie has not ruled out the possibility of him sharing quarterback duties with Cameron Dukes and veteran Nick Arbuckle. Kelly, who was the last pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, faced previous legal issues, including an arrest for criminal trespassing in 2018. The Argonauts' season ended last year with a significant loss to Montreal, the eventual Grey Cup champions.