He was a leader by example in five seasons (2011-15) as an offensive lineman at the University of Alabama, but Ryan Kelly understands the joy of overcoming adversity.
Kelly, 30, does not speak much, but his Christian faith speaks for him. He and his wife, Emma, were featured Tuesday on the Today Show. Ryan and Emma have wanted children before getting married. Their goal was to build a family together as Ryan plays for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League. Tragedy tried to derail their dream on Dec. 17, 2021, as they lost their baby girl 19 weeks into Emma’s pregnancy. Divine intervention stepped in to assure the fruitfulness of their family. Ryan and Emma prayed, cried, and pondered a lot, but their prayers were answered. They now have two twin boys, Duke and Ford.
NFL player Ryan Kelly and his wife Emma talk about their journey to parenthood after losing their baby girl at 19 weeks into Emma’s pregnancy: “We prayed … There were so many nights I cried.”
Now, they have twin boys named Duke and Ford. pic.twitter.com/h21fNj3AU1
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 19, 2023
The couple shared their story, and how the tough moments made them stronger.
They want to be an encouragement to others who are starting a parenthood journey and going through a rough time.
Kelly was prepared to handle adversity and grow in patience under Nick Saban at Alabama. He redshirted his freshman season in 2011 and played in 10 games as a backup center behind All-American Barrett Jones in 2012. Kelly became the Crimson Tide’s starting center in 2013 and stayed there through 2015. He helped three quarterbacks pass for 3,000+ yards — AJ McCarron, Blake Sims, and Jacob Coker — and propelled running back Derrick Henry to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2015. Kelly’s patience allowed him to step in and become one of the most decorative lineman of the Saban era and in the Southeastern Conference. He won the Rimington Trophy, Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Consensus All-American honors, and first-team All-SEC honors in 2015. Kelly was a three-time national champion (2011-12, 2015) and three-time SEC Champion (2012, 2014-15).
He was a first-round draft selection of the Colts in 2016 and has been to three Pro Bowls (2019-21). Kelly has Indianapolis in the playoff hunt this season at 8-6, but he’s more proud of what he and Emma have accomplished together.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
