Tragedy, failure, triumph: Showboats quarterback has experienced it all
Memphis Showboats quarterback Cole Kelley (in a 2022 photo) said hardships have taught him to value every day. “This life will pass you by if you don’t take advantage of it. And I’m talking from experience.” (Charlie Neibergall/AP file)
Ten years ago, Cole Kelley was shot while driving and one of his passengers died. Five years ago, angry SEC fans booed him off the field. Today, he’s starting for Memphis in the USFL.
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Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
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