Cole Kelley and Jim Kelly are both American football quarterbacks who have played in different leagues and eras. But are they related by blood or just by name? This article will explore the possible connections between the two players and reveal the truth about their family ties.
Cole Kelley: The USFL Star
Cole Kelley was born on October 27, 1997, in Lafayette, Louisiana. He played college football at Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana, where he won the Walter Payton Award for the best offensive player in the FCS in 2020. He also received first-team All-American FCS honors in both 2020 and 20211
Kelley entered the 2022 NFL Draft but was not selected by any team. He signed with the Washington Commanders of the United States Football League (USFL) as an undrafted free agent, but was released before the season started. He then joined the Memphis Showboats of the same league, where he currently plays as their starting quarterback2
Kelley is known for his impressive size and arm strength, as well as his mobility and leadership skills. He stands at 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 250 pounds, making him one of the tallest and heaviest quarterbacks in professional football. He has thrown for over 3,600 yards and 28 touchdowns in his last college season, leading his team to a 10-2 record and a conference championship3
Jim Kelly: The NFL Legend
Jim Kelly was born on February 14, 1960, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played college football at Miami (FL), where he was the Offensive MVP of the 1981 Peach Bowl. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, but chose to sign with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL instead. He played two seasons with the Gamblers, winning the USFL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in 19844
Kelly joined the Bills in 1986 after the USFL folded. He led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993, but lost all of them. He was named to five Pro Bowls and received first-team All-Pro honors in 1991. He retired after the 1996 season as the Bills’ all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and attempts. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 20025
Kelly is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and one of the pioneers of the no-huddle offense. He was known for his accuracy, toughness, and clutch performances. He holds several NFL records, including most yards gained per completion in a season (9.03 in 1990) and most consecutive completions in a single game (18 in 1992). He also holds several Bills franchise records, including most career wins (101) and most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (18).
The Verdict: No Relation
Despite sharing a similar surname and playing the same position, Cole Kelley and Jim Kelly are not related by blood or marriage. They have different ancestry, birthplaces, and college backgrounds. They also have different styles of play and achievements in their respective leagues.
According to Ancestry.com, Kelley is a common Irish surname that means “warrior” or “strife”. It is derived from the Gaelic name O’Ceallaigh, which means “descendant of Ceallach”. Kelly is a variant spelling of Kelley that is also popular among Irish Americans.
According to Wikipedia, Jim Kelly’s paternal grandparents were born in Ireland and immigrated to Pennsylvania in the early 1900s. His father was a machinist who ran a locker-rental service for Navy personnel. His mother was a homemaker who raised six children.
According to The Advocate, Cole Kelley’s father is a former basketball player who owns a construction company. His mother is a former volleyball player who works as a nurse practitioner. His parents met at Louisiana Tech University and have been married for over 30 years.
Therefore, based on these sources, there is no evidence that Cole Kelley and Jim Kelly are related in any way. They are simply two talented quarterbacks who happen to share a common name.