Former Ole Miss QB granted 'Last Chance' opportunity for 2024 after winning Canadian Football League MVP last year
Just when it seems Chad Kelly is doing well, the former Ole Miss quarterback has another setback off the field. Kelly, the previous year's most outstanding player in the CFL, faced a suspension on May 7. This suspension, which included two exhibition games and the first nine games of the regular season, was due to […]
Just when it seems Chad Kelly is doing well, the former Ole Miss quarterback has another setback off the field. Kelly, the previous year's most outstanding player in the CFL, faced a suspension on May 7. This suspension, which included two exhibition games and the first nine games of the regular season, was due to a breach of the CFL's policy on gender-based violence.
The former All-American and Mr. Irrelevant of the 2017 NFL Draft has been one of the most electric passers in football when he's on the field. That last part, though, has proven challenging due to Kelly's penchant for trouble and lack of discipline.
The CFL said in a statement that it had reinstated Kelly "on a last-chance agreement provided that he continues to meet a number of ongoing conditions." The added that the conditions are confidential and won't be disclosed, but they "reflect the need for him to demonstrate a continued commitment to upholding league standards."
The CFL took action against Kelly following an independent review of a legal claim by a previous strength and conditioning coach who accused Kelly of sexual harassment and the Argos of unfairly dismissing her. This lawsuit was resolved in June via mediation.
As a condition for his suspension, Kelly was required to undergo private evaluations by an external consultant and participate in obligatory counseling sessions led by a specialist in gender-based violence. Completing these counseling sessions and evaluations to a satisfactory level was necessary before the CFL would even contemplate reinstating Kelly, with the league retaining the authority to adjust his punishment as seen fit.
Recently, the CFL disclosed that it had obtained the confidential psychological evaluation of Kelly and was in the process of reviewing the findings with professionals to determine his eligibility for reinstatement.
After this, Kelly engaged in a dialogue with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
Kelly, 30, has not played for Toronto since Montreal defeated the team in the previous year's Eastern Division final. During his suspension, he remained apart from the team and refrained from making public statements on Sunday.
In his college career, Kelly played at Clemson, East Mississippi Community College, and Ole Miss. The Denver Broncos selected him as the final selection in the 2017 NFL draft, but they released him in 2018 following his arrest for criminal trespassing.
Under Kelly’s leadership, Toronto achieved a league-leading and record-breaking season with a 16-2 tally last year. However, in the Eastern Division final, their journey ended with a 38-17 defeat at home against the eventual Grey Cup winners, Montreal.
