Leroy Kelly Biography

Leroy Kelly, born on May 20, 1942, played as a running back for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL from 1964 to 1973. He was honored with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994 for his outstanding contributions to professional football. During his Hall of Fame speech, Kelly acknowledged his high school coach, Louis E. DeVicaris, for guiding him toward college. Kelly pursued higher education at Morgan State University in Baltimore, a prominent historically Black college. He served as team captain and earned honorable mention on the Pennsylvania All Star Team during his collegiate career. At Morgan State, coach Earl Banks transitioned Kelly from quarterback to running back, shaping his professional path. In 1962, Kelly led Morgan State in rushing, scoring, and punting, helping the team claim the CIAA Championship.