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By CHRIS HOPKINS
Andy Kelly is a Tennessee man through and through.
A native of Dayton, Tennessee—a town located in the southeastern part of the state with a population of less than 8,000—Kelly lived out every young Tennessean’s dream by playing quarterback at the University of Tennessee.
He was the starter for the Volunteers from 1989-91 and finished his career with a record of 24-5-2, which is still the third-highest winning percentage of any Tennessee quarterback who started three or more years. He finished his college career as Tennessee’s all-time leading passer in every major statistical category.
His records have since been broken but Tennessee fans will always remember him for the moments.
After taking over as the starter for the second half of the season in 1989, Kelly led the Vols to an SEC Championship and a Cotton Bowl victory. He followed that season up with another SEC Championship and a Sugar Bowl win.
However, his most memorable game came on the road in November of his final season against No. 6 Notre Dame, led by legendary coach Lou Holtz.
With the backdrop of “Touchdown Jesus” and a hostile Notre Dame crowd, Kelly and Tennessee struggled mightily in the first half, going into halftime trailing 31-17.
But Kelly never stopped fighting. The Volunteers came out in the second half to put together one of the greatest comebacks in Tennessee football history, which is commonly referred to as, “The Miracle at South Bend.”
“That’s just the player that he was,” said Cory Fleming, who hauled in a first half touchdown reception from Kelly in that game. “He fought to the end and would do everything in his power to help us win.”
After graduation, Kelly signed on to play with the AFL’s Charlotte Rage in 1993. He posted solid rookie numbers, throwing for more than 2,100 yards and 34 touchdowns. But in 1997, the prodigal son returned home, as he signed with the expansion Nashville Kats.
In addition, Kelly reunited with his former Tennessee teammate, Cory Fleming, where both were once again able to find magic in the Volunteer State.
In the five years both players were in Nashville, the team never suffered a losing record and they made back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001, unfortunately coming up short both times
“He allowed me to get to the Hall of Fame with all of the touchdown passes he threw to me and he helped me learn this game,” said Fleming, who was a rookie in 1997 and entered the Arena Football Hall of Fame last April.
“Because we went to UT together, we always had a confidence with each other,” Fleming said. “He could depend on me whenever he needed to throw the ball. “
Although Kelly had to leave his home state following the 2001 season, he still found success with five other franchises up until his retirement in 2007.
In 2005 while playing for the New Orleans VooDoo, he turned back the clock and put together his best statistical season of his AFL career. He completed just under 67 percent of his passes for 4,657 yards and 96 touchdowns—all career highs.
For those who played with him, this resurgence late in his career came as no surprise.
“Andy is a student of the game,” Fleming said. “He did a great job studying the game and his opponents, so he knew what he needed to accomplish and he never forced anything.”
Kelly retired as the all-time leading passer in AFL history. Just like his Tennessee records, these have been broken as well, but he still ranks second in attempts and completions, fourth in passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns. He is one of five players in professional football history to have thrown for 800 touchdowns.
In 2012, the Silver Anniversary Committee named Kelly the 10th greatest quarterback in AFL history.
Since retiring, Kelly has returned home and has worked in a variety of different roles broadcasting Tennessee Volunteer football games.
At the end of the day, he’s just a Tennessee kid with a love for the game of football.
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