Tommy Kelly

Tommy Terrell Kelly (born December 27, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played with the Raiders and subsequently a single season each with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals before retiring prior to the 2015 season.

Early life After a standout basketball career at Jackson's Provine High School, he signed a football scholarship with Mississippi State University, where he played in 22 games and earned 16 starts, making 82 tackles, including 15 for loss and two quarterback sacks. He was signed as a free agent in 2004 by the Oakland Raiders.

Professional career

Oakland Raiders

2004 season After being signed in 2004 by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted rookie free agent, Tommy Kelly alternated between 3–4 DE and 4–3 DT. In the very few plays that he saw action, he was able to rack up four sacks, including 3 weeks in a row from week 7 through week 9.

2005 season

In 2005, the Raiders moved away from the 3–4 defense, with Kelly finding a spot as the RE. In week 9 alone, Kelly racked up a total of 3 quarterback sacks—reaching Kansas City veteran Trent Green. In each instance, Kelly had lined up as a DT rather than the RE that he had been playing as previously in the year. By the end of the season, Kelly had a total of 4.5 sacks.

2006 season Tommy Kelly appeared in all sixteen games and had a total of 3.5 sacks.

2007 season Kelly played in 7 games in 2007, recording 30 tackles and 1 sack before suffering a season ending knee injury while playing against the Tennessee Titans. He was placed on injured reserve by the Oakland Raiders on October 31, 2007.

2008 season

On February 28, 2008, the Oakland Raiders signed Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle on the eve of free agency. Kelly, a defensive end moving to defensive tackle in 2008, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees and $25.125 million in the first three years.

Kelly can play every spot on the defensive line, but he replaced the retired Warren Sapp at the three technique for the 2008 NFL season.

On September 14, 2008, Kelly was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Kelly finished the 2008 season with 55 tackles (31 solo) and 4.5 sacks matching his career high set in 2005.

2009 season Kelly finished the season with just 55 tackles again (37 solo) and a career low 1 sack.

At the end of the season, Kelly had 60 tackles and 7 sacks and was named as an alternate for the 2010 Pro Bowl.

2011 season

On opening day of the 2011 NFL season, still at right defensive tackle next to Richard Seymour, he recorded 2 tackles and a sack as the Raiders defeated the Denver Broncos. In week 10, he recorded 3 tackles, a game-ending sack and a forced fumble as the Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers. The next week, when the Raiders won against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded 3 tackles, two sacks and an interception off of a deflected pass.

On March 27, 2013, Kelly was released from the Oakland Raiders making him a free agent.

New England Patriots On April 8, 2013, Kelly agreed to a two-year deal with the New England Patriots.

Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was placed on injured reserve following Week 8 of the 2013 NFL season which ended his season. The Patriots released Kelly on August 24, 2014.

Arizona Cardinals Kelly signed with the Arizona Cardinals on August 27, 2014. He retired prior to the beginning of the 2015 season.

Career statistics Year Team GP COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD 2004 OAK 10 20 16 4 4.0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2005 OAK 16 45 35 10 4.5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2006 OAK 16 68 53 15 3.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2007 OAK 7 30 27 3 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2008 OAK 16 55 31 24 4.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2009 OAK 16 55 37 18 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2010 OAK 16 60 38 22 7.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2011 OAK 16 41 27 14 7.5 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 5 2012 OAK 16 45 25 20 1.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2013 NE 5 22 12 10 2.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2014 ARI 16 33 23 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total Total 150 474 324 151 37.5 9 4 0 1 1 1 1 0 18

Coaching career

On July 21, 2017, Kelly was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as a coaching intern.

Personal life Kelly now lives in Jackson, Mississippi.