 | |
| No. 44 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1910-07-08)July 8, 1910 Simstown, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 1986(1986-08-17) (aged 76) Lighthouse Point, Florida, U.S. |
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Kentucky |
| Career history | |
| 1932 | New York Giants |
| 1933–1937 | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Awards and highlights | |
Stats atPro Football Reference  | |
John Simms "Shipwreck" Kelly (July 8, 1910 – August 17, 1986) was an American professionalfootball player who was ahalfback in theNational Football League (NFL); he was also an owner and banker, most prominent in New York City in the 1930s and 1940s. He played five seasons for theNew York Giants (1932) and theBrooklyn Dodgers (1933–1937). Kelly became aplayer-coach and later a player/coach/owner with the Dodgers football club, the successor to theDayton Triangles, a charter member of the NFL. He gained his nickname fromAlvin "Shipwreck" Kelly, who was famous forpole-sitting in the 1920s.[1][2]
Kelly playedcollege football for theKentucky Wildcats of theUniversity of Kentucky. In his first year on the freshman team, Kelly rode the bench most of the year. "I knew I could play and that I could run like hell" said Kelly.[2] He finally got a chance againstCentre in the season's final game, and scored three touchdowns.[2] The1929 team lost just a single game, toWallace Wade'sAlabama, a game that Kelly missed.[3] In 1931, Kelly rushed for 1,074 yards averaging 6.3 yards per carry.[4] He was second-team on the AP compositeAll-Southern team in 1930 and 1931.[5] By Kelly's UK career's end he was dubbed "the fastest man in the South," running a 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds.[6]
At age 23, Kelly became a player/coach and later a player/coach/owner with the Dodgers football club, which he bought with a partner,Dan Topping. Kellyran back the team's punts.[7] He also led the league in receptions in1933.[8]
Kelly was a part of New York's cafe society and was frequently in attendance at the Stork Club, "21", andEl Morocco.[9]
Kelly was married in 1941, inNew York City, to the "Millionaire Debutante"Brenda Frazier, after whom the long-running comic stripBrenda Starr, Reporter was named.[10] The couple bought a newPackard Darrin convertible from theNew York Auto Show, and travelled around New York City with people such asJock Whitney and Tom Kerrigan. They were married for fifteen years, and had one daughter, Brenda Victoria. In 1956, he married Catherine Hannon. They had a son, John Kelly, who took part in the1980 Winter Olympics.
Kelly was a relative of formerNew York Giants quarterbackPhil Simms.
DuringWorld War II, Kelly was recruited by theFBI to travel toCuba,Mexico,Peru,Chile andArgentina to track the activities of wealthyGermanexpatriates helping theNazi cause.
After the war, Kelly pursued a career as aninvestment banker, Florida real estate investor and became a champion amateur golfer. He played golf with the Duke of Windsor and Richard Nixon. He was also a big game hunter. He died of astroke at age 76 and is buried in his home town ofSimstown, Kentucky.
