The more you grow, the more you know.
In Reggie Kelly”s mind, he”d be selfish not to share what he has learned in 33 years.
An Aberdeen native and current member of the NFL”s Cincinnati Bengals, Kelly recently put the finishing touches on his first book, which he hopes provides encouragement for people facing adversity.
“Prepared: Mind, Body, Spirit” is an autobiography of Kelly”s upbringing in Aberdeen, his experiences as a student-athlete at Mississippi State University, and most of his 11-year career as a tight end in the NFL.
The 141-page book, which debuted Nov. 27, is a five-year project that didn”t gain momentum until 2007, Kelly said.
Once Kelly learned the ins and outs of writing, he found the right people to edit, to ghost write, and to help publish the book.
He hopes his long-shot story of growing up in Aberdeen and becoming an 11-year NFL veteran can inspire people to battle adversity in all forms.
Kelly will continue to spread his faith-based message during his book signing Jan. 15, 2011, at Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State. The former MSU star plans to make other appearances and book signings throughout the Cincinnati area in the next month.
In the wake of many athletes” legal issues, he”s keenly aware of the potential stigma his book might receive because he”s a pro athlete.
He”s confident that through the commonality of football, “Prepared” will appeal to a broad audience. Kelly”s message is clear in the subtitle of his book: Using the Gridiron”s Boundaries To Reach Your Limitless Potential.
“Being a professional athlete doesn”t define who you are, and it doesn”t make you a success,” Kelly said. “I want people to know their circumstances shouldn”t define them. When you have the right perspective, those things can ultimately become positives.”
Kelly admits people can receive knowledge and wisdom and be uplifted from anyone, making him just one of many spreading positivity and the good word.
“I”ve learned throughout my life that not everybody deals well with criticism, but everybody responds to encouraging words,” Kelly said. “I”ve had the opportunity to go speak to people who didn”t have the slightest idea of who I was, but since they received an encouraging word it helped them.
“It”s my goal to reach as many people as I can with hopes they”ll be more prone to help other people.”
Kelly”s faith in God is the book”s foundation, and he credits his faith for helping him battle back from a ruptured Achilles” tendon he suffered last season. Though his injury — often career-ending — isn”t referenced in his book, Kelly said the experience strengthened his desire to complete the book and take a greater role in spreading his message.
“When you”re that age in the NFL, people start to write you off,” Kelly said. “They”re trying to get younger guys in there and give them a shot. But through rehab, I made it up in my heart that if God wants me to leave the game I”ll ride off into the sunset. But if not, I”m going to work my hardest and do my very best. I overcame the odds and now I”m play football again.”
Kelly played in 44 games and earned All-SEC status as a senior in 1998. The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the second round in 1999.
He speaks vividly of taking a quick liking to football as a youngster in the 1980s, describing backyard tackle football games common to thousands of kids.
“We”d emulate guys like Joe Montana and Lawrence Taylor — it”d never end,” Kelly said.
Just as he kept up with pro football”s rivalries, star players and legendary moments when he was young, Kelly”s aware of the game”s growth and the increasing influence pro football players have on kids.
“God wants you involved in helping others,” Kelly said. “I believe there”s a purpose behind everything you face in life. It”s everyone”s job to relay that message to the next generation.”
Kelly is in his 12th season in the league. He has started eight of the 10 games he has appeared in. He has three receptions for 18 yards. He is second on the roster to Terrell Owens in career NFL games (162) and starts (141).
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