Red Kellett

Donald Stafford "Red" Kellett (July 15, 1909 – November 3, 1970) was the president and general manager of the Baltimore Colts franchise of the National Football League (NFL) from 1953 until 1966, during which time his teams won two NFL championships. Kellett is credited as the general manager who brought Pittsburgh Steelers cast-off Johnny Unitas from semi-professional sandlots to superstardom in the NFL.

A three sport star at the University of Pennsylvania from 1932 to 1934, Kellett also had a brief playing career in Major League Baseball as an infielder for the Boston Red Sox.

Biography Early life and college Born in Brooklyn, New York, Kellett attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and lettered in four sports. He then attended Peekskill Military Academy in Peekskill, New York,

Football executive After being granted a new franchise in the National Football League for the 1953 season, the Baltimore Colts named Kellett their first team president and general manager. He and his wife, the former Dorothea L. Tevis, moved to Baltimore after being hired for the Colts job in 1952.

In 1959, Kellett was a contender for NFL Commissioner. He was supported by four team owners who opposed the candidacy of Marshall Leahy due to his plan to move the league office to San Francisco. After eight days of deadlock, Los Angeles Rams general manager Pete Rozelle was selected as a compromise candidate.

Later life, death, and legacy Kellett retired in January 1967 and relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He spent much of his free time playing golf, occasionally offering the Colts advice via telephone.

Although he had suffered one heart attack while still working for the Colts, his health was presumed excellent, commenting to reporters shortly before his death that he had his weight "back to where it was when I played football in college." However, he suddenly felt ill the evening of November 3, 1970, having just returned from a trip to Baltimore, and succumbed to a heart attack later that night.

Kellett was 61 years old at the time of his death. He was buried in Pikesville, Maryland.

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