Chad and Jim Kelly share stories of faith, perseverance at Ole Miss FCA breakfast
By Nick Cole
Published:
Rebels QB Chad Kelly and his NFL Hall of Fame uncle, Jim Kelly, spoke to the Ole Miss chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes during a breakfast event on Saturday morning in Oxford.
According to a release from the university, approximately 800 people were in attendance to hear the two accomplished quarterbacks talk about their faith, perseverance and grit both on and off the field.
The elder Kelly spoke of the struggles he went through losing his son.
“I wanted to have a son,” Jim Kelly told the crowd. “My wife’s water broke and it was Valentine’s Day, my birthday. We went to the hospital and my wife delivered a boy on Daddy’s birthday. The game plan was already done. The script was written. Hunter would wear No. 12. Play against Chad. But my son was diagnosed with a fatal genetic disease at four months, and he lived to be eight years old. When our son died, that day was the lowest point in my life.”
He introduced the role of his faith in his life following the loss of his son.
“Number one, I wanted to see my son again, and I knew where he was. Number two, I wanted to be able to walk through the door and for my two daughters to respect who I was. Number three, I wanted to love my wife the way she deserved to be loved.”
As for Chad Kelly, the Rebels starting QB talked about his troubled journey that cost him an opportunity at Clemson and had him on thin ice as he entered what could have been considered his last chance when he signed to play at Ole MIss.
“Every day I thank the Lord because I’m so blessed with this opportunity,” said Chad, who went on a mission trip to Haiti with some of his teammates and Ole Miss staff last spring break. “It’s just unreal that I’m up here speaking in front of people. A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have thought this was possible. It’s just wild how God has really changed my life and surrounded me with such great people. I’m so blessed to be in this situation – to have coaches, players and fans that I truly love. It’s such a family. For everybody to be so happy and down to earth and willing to help – what more can you ask for?”
He also spoke of the role of Jim Kelly plays in his life:
“To be able to consider myself close to Uncle Jim and being close to him and all he’s accomplished is surreal,” Chad told the FCA breakfast crowd. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here. This is literally insane. I can’t believe how God is changing my life. I look up to (Jim) every day and hope to come close to what he’s accomplished.”
Kelly will return for another season at Ole Miss in 2016, and expectations will be high for the quarterback that led the SEC in passing yards (4,042) and touchdowns (31) last season.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
