TORONTO — Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly publicly apologized Tuesday for conduct which led to him being suspended for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.
Kelly’s apology came two days after he was reinstated, with conditions, by the CFL. The league suspended Kelly on May 7 for Toronto’s two exhibition games and at least its first nine regular-season contests for his violation.
“I’m sorry for my actions, I’m sorry for what I did,” Kelly told the assembled media — which included nine television cameras — following Toronto’s practice at Lamport Stadium. “I affected a lot of people — my teammates, my coaches, women, my family — I feel bad for the situation that happened.
“I’ve grown, I’ve learned from not only the past couple of months but every day I’m trying to get better, be a better person, better teammate, better male. I just want everybody to know I’m sorry and I will be better and be a better teammate and person from this.”
The CFL announced Aug. 10 it had received Kelly’s confidential psychological assessment and would complete an examination of the results with the help of experts before deciding upon on Kelly’s reinstatement. As part of that process, Kelly met with CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
“I know this mistake isn’t going to happen again,” Kelly said. “That’s why me and the commissioner had talked and he believed in me and I believe in him wanting to help me and I’m going to help him rebuild myself and the CFL.
“You can believe me or not but I’m a truthful guy, I think I am genuine and I’m sincere. I want to do better, I’m going to be better and I’m going to show everybody.”
Kelly plans to resume doing community work and reconnect with the Argos’ younger fans as well as their female supporters.
“It’s just getting back to being able to be comfortable and letting everyone else be comfortable around me because I have affected a lot of people, not just the person,” Kelly said. “I know it’s going to take time, I know it’s going to take a lot of effort but I’m here for it.
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