Leroy Kelly

Leroy Kelly, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, established himself as one of the most prolific offensive players in NFL history, achieving an extraordinary ten-year career with the Cleveland Browns. Prior to his professional career, Kelly distinguished himself at Morgan State University, where he led the team in rushing, scoring, and punting in 1962, contributing to a CIAA Championship, and was named Most Valuable Player in the Orange Blossom Classic in 1963. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the eighth round of the 1964 NFL Draft, Kelly initially served as an understudy to Jim Brown, primarily excelling as a punt and kickoff return specialist. His crucial contributions helped secure the Browns’ 1964 NFL Championship, and he earned the NFL Punt Return Title in 1965.

Over his remarkable ten-year career with the Cleveland Browns from 1964 to 1973, Kelly accumulated 7,274 rushing yards, 2,281 reception yards, and 2,774 return yards, totaling an exceptional 12,330 combined net yards. He scored 90 touchdowns throughout his career, missing only four games during his decade in the NFL due to his exceptional agility and resilience. After leaving the Browns, Kelly concluded his professional playing career with the Chicago Fire of the World Football League in 1974. During this period, he also served as the offensive backfield coach for the Philadelphia Bell.

Kelly’s extraordinary career and lasting impact have been recognized through numerous inductions, including the Morgan State’s Hall of Fame in 1977, the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor in 2010, the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2013, and the ultimate honor of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.