Kelly Blackwell
Kelly Reardon Blackwell is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Fort Worth Cavalry in the Arena Football League. He played college football for the TCU [Horned Frogs football|TCU Horned Frogs], earning consensus All-American honors in 1991.
Early life
Blackwell attended Richland [High School (Texas)|Richland High School]. He accepted a football scholarship from Texas Christian University. As a freshman, he was named the starter at tight end and appeared in 11 games. He collected 20 receptions, 172 receiving yards and no touchdowns.As a sophomore, he appeared in 8 games, tallying 33 receptions, 389 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
As a junior, he appeared in 11 games, registering 64 receptions, 832 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. He tied for third all-time in receptions in a single-game with 12 catches against the University of Missouri.
As a senior, he appeared in 9 games, leading the team with 64 receptions for 762 yards and 6 touchdowns. He had 11 receptions against the University of Houston to set an NCAA record for most career receptions by a tight end. He was named to the 1991 [College Football All-America Team|All-America Team]. He finished his career with 181 receptions, 2,155 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.
In 2001, he was inducted into the TCU Lettermen's Association Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Blackwell was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears after the 1992 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games with 2 starts, making 5 receptions for 54 yards.On August 17, 1993, after Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt became the head coach for the Chicago Bears, he traded Blackwell, linebacker John Roper and football position)|safety] Markus Paul, in exchange for linebacker Vinson Smith, linebacker Barry Minter and a sixth-round draft pick. He appeared in 2 games with no stats. On October 5, 1993, he was released to make room for tight end Jim Price. The team would go on to win Super Bowl XXVIII.
On December 30, 1993, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams. On June 1, 1994, he was released before the start of the season.
In June 1994, he signed with the Fort Worth Cavalry of the Arena Football League. He was a two-way player at fullback and linebacker. He registered 2 receptions for 18 yards, 17 carries for 46 yards, 13 tackles, 3 sacks, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
On December 12, 1994, he was selected by the Connecticut Coyotes in the Arena Football League expansion draft. He was waived on May 3, 1995.