Tommy Kelly is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on December 27, 1980, in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Mississippi State University, where he played college football.
Kelly began his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2004. He quickly established himself as a reliable player on the team's defensive line, starting in all 16 games in his second season. Over the next few years, Kelly continued to improve his game, becoming one of the Raiders' most consistent performers on defense.
In 2008, Kelly signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract extension with the Raiders, making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league at the time. He continued to play well for the team, but the Raiders struggled to win games, finishing with a losing record in each of Kelly's final six seasons with the team.
In 2013, Kelly was released by the Raiders and signed with the New England Patriots. He played in five games for the Patriots that season, recording 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, he was released by the team the following year and did not play in the NFL again.
Throughout his career, Kelly was known for his size and strength, as well as his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He finished his NFL career with 605 tackles, 45.5 sacks, and 14 forced fumbles.
Off the field, Kelly was involved in several charitable endeavors, including the Tommy Kelly Foundation, which provided scholarships and other support to underprivileged children in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi.
Overall, Tommy Kelly had a successful career in the NFL, playing for two teams over the course of 10 seasons. While he never won a Super Bowl or earned any major individual awards, he was a consistent performer on the field and a respected member of the football community.
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