AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Q&A: Detroit Fury QB Andy Kelly

April 29, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


One of the premier AFL quarterbacks of all time, Detroit QB ANDY KELLY, needs just four passing touchdowns this Sunday to become the second passer in AFL history to throw 600 in his career (New York's AARON GARCIA, 609). Kelly and the Fury (4-7) host the Chicago Rush (7-4) this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.

Now in his 10th AFL season, Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee) holds AFL career passing record for yards (30,745), attempts (4,491) and completions (2,743). The former Volunteer became the first AFL quarterback to surpass 30,000 career-passing yards earlier this season in the Fury's Week 9 win over the Georgia Force.

Kelly made his AFL debut in 1993 with the Charlotte Rage (1993, 1995-96). He joined the then-expansion Nashville Kats (1997-2001), leading them to two consecutive ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001. Kelly played for the then-expansion Dallas Desperados in 2002 and guided the team to the postseason quarterfinals. Last season with Detroit, he again directed his team to the quarterfinals.

A standout at Tennessee (1988-91), Kelly finished his collegiate career with 6,397 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, which currently ranks third in Volunteer annals behind CASEY CLAUSEN and PEYTON MANNING. A starter from 1989-91, Kelly led the Vols to appearances in the Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. He took over starting duties midseason in 1989 and led Tennessee to a Cotton Bowl victory over Arkansas. As a junior, he led Tennessee to an SEC title and a win over Virginia in the Sugar Bowl.

Q: When did you start playing football?

A: I was in 6th grade and I played for my elementary school, the Dayton School Sweat Bees, in Dayton, Tenn. It was a long time ago.

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: In high school I played baseball and basketball. In my mind I was pretty good at both of those but, obviously, as it turned out, football was what I was best at. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship out of high school to play in college. I've played pretty much anything growing up, any sport that you can imagine. I golfed; I fished; I did anything.

Q: How does the AFL compare/differ from stadium-played football?

A: It is not that big of a difference, other than the fact that you have to get rid of the ball a lot faster. There are not many seven-step drops. They' re supposed to be three steps or quick fives and release the ball. For a quarterback it's dropping back and making the read and throwing the football. It's not that big of a deal as opposed to other positions where guys have to play both offense and defense.

Q: What are your fitness schedule and eating habits?

A: They're not as good as they should be. In the season, I let myself slide. But in the offseason, I run quite a bit, do a lot of cardio, lift. In Nashville, I have some buddies and we get together and work out. I try to lose my weight in the offseason, that way during the season I don't have to worry about it. I can pretty much eat what I want and do what I want. I just try to lift and try to maintain.

Q: What type of music do you like to listen to?

A: If I have to pick one group or one style of music, it's probably Southern Rock. I love LYNYRD SKYNYRD. I can listen to almost any kind of music and enjoy it. If people look at my CD collections, they're like ‘Wow, you are all over the place.' I'll have Lynyrd Skynyrd, or maybe PANTERA, then an EARTH, WIND AND FIRE, COMMODORES, GEORGE STRAIT. I am all over the map when it comes to music.

Q: Describe your characteristics on and off the football field.

A: Off the field, I'm pretty laid back. I don't get mad very easily. I try to go with the flow most of the time. In a game, I think the quarterback is in a leadership position, but I'm not usually a vocal guy on the field. I try to let my actions speak for themselves. I do get emotional during the game, sometimes I get mad. I let my feelings show, sometimes more than I should, but I try to maintain myself. (I) try to stay poised and confident, just so the other guys can see this guy is not getting rattled.

Q: What makes you a good teammate?

A: I get along with most anybody. I can't think of anybody that I really don't get along with on my team. I feel like I fit in most situations, and, if it's possible, to go and hang out with any group of guys on our team. I think that's important. You have to have good team chemistry. In Detroit right now, our record is not what we want it to be, but we have good guys on the team, so I feel really fortunate. We genuinely like each other; there is no backstabbing. I look forward to going into work.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: I would like to see the AFL still going strong and when I finish my career, hopefully I will get an opportunity to coach. I think this is the league that will be an enjoyable as a coach and to stay involved with. It's been very good to me over the years and I feel really fortunate that the Arena Football League has been here and given me an opportunity to do something I love to do for a long time.

Q: What is your favorite moment from your AFL career to date?

A: It has to be with Nashville when we made it to the ArenaBowl. That was pretty exciting and, at the same time, it was really disappointing because we lost both of them - one on a last-second field goal. Two of my most exciting moments were also two of my most disappointing moments. It was great that we had an opportunity to play in ArenaBowl, but at the same stance it was disappointing that we lost. My best moment and my most disappointing moment kind of came hand-in-hand.

Q: Which AFL arena do you think is the toughest to play in?

A: I haven't played some of the new teams. I haven't played in Philadelphia, but it looks like a pretty tough place to play. Over the years, I have to say Arizona (American West Arena in Phoenix) would be one of the picks. Also, I find it tough to win in Orlando because of the fans, the noise. Their fans know the game, get into the game and can make a big difference when you are trying to call plays. It's hard to concentrate. They do a really nice job of being loud when they should be loud and staying quiet when they need to be quiet for their team.

Q: Who is the toughest coach you've faced in the AFL?

A: Probably one of the toughest coaches to go against is (TIM) MARCUM in Tampa Bay or (JAY) GRUDEN in Orlando. They are two good coaches. Both of those guys really understand the game and they know how to win. They know how to coach winning teams.

Q: What teams do you see in the ArenaBowl this year?

A: Detroit. And the other, who cares? That's all that really matters to me. We are in a situation now where we are fighting to even have a chance to get into the playoffs, so that's something we're not really thinking about right now. We're thinking about one game, and trying to get in. But I would love to have the opportunity to play in the ArenaBowl and get another shot at winning a championship.

DID YOU KNOW? Kelly was one of the top offensive prospects in the state of Tennessee after earning Gatorade All-America honors at Rhea County High School in Dayton, Tenn.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 29, 2004


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