Jimmy Kelly (American football)
{{short description|American football running back (1892–1964)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jimmy Kelly
| image = Jimmy Kelly (American football).jpg
| upright = .6
| number =
| position = Halfback
| birth_date = {{birth date|1892|11|9}}
| birth_place = Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1964|8|19|1892|11|9}}
| death_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lbs = 160
| high_school =
| college = Detroit
| pastteams =
- Detroit Heralds (1918–{{NFL Year|1920}})
| pfr = K/KellJi20
}}
James Patrick Kelly (November 9, 1892 – August 19, 1964) was an American professional football halfback who played one season in the American Professional Football Association (APFA) with the Detroit Heralds. He played college football at the University of Detroit.
Early life and college
James Patrick Kelly was born on November 9, 1892, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/k/kell08800.html | title=JIMMY KELLY | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=7 February 2025}} He played college football for the Detroit Titans of the University of Detroit, with his final year being in 1917.
Professional career
After his college career, Kelly was a member of the Detroit Heralds in 1918 and was listed as a halfback. He played in six games, starting four, for the Heralds in 1919. He was listed as a halfback/fullback that year. The Heralds joined the American Professional Football Association for the league's first season in 1920. Kelly played in six games, starting three, for the Heralds that year as a tailback/defensive halfback.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KellJi20.htm | title=Jimmy Kelly | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=7 February 2025}}
Personal life
Kelly spent time as a youth sports coach after his playing career. He opened Jimmy Kelly's Cafe in Detroit in 1932. He died on August 19, 1964, at Harper Hospital in Detroit.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/164953613/ | title=Detroit Area Obituaries | work=Detroit Free Press | date=August 22, 1964 | accessdate=7 February 2025 | pages=2}}