Argos QB Kelly to start Thursday after returning from suspension

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 said Sunday the conditions are confidential and won't be disclosed.

Kelly did not offer details of the actions that led to his league suspension. But it followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former Argos strength-and-conditioning coach against Kelly for sexual harassment and the team for wrongful dismissal. The lawsuit was settled in June through mediation.

"I know what I need to do and what's at stake every day," Kelly said. "I'm thankful I have a group of people around me but, yes, I am going to strive to do exactly what is needed to make sure I'm staying on the football field, I'm staying to be a better person.

Initially, Kelly publicly denied the harassment allegations and said he intended to defend himself and seek a dismissal. The CFL's