Kelly had a strong senior year at Mississippi State in 1998, earning First-team All-SEC, as he helped the Bulldogs win the SEC West Division title, earning a spot in the 1998 SEC Championship Game.

In the 2000 season he started in every game and caught his first NFL touchdown pass versus the St. Louis Rams on September 24.

During the 2004 season, Kelly played in every game for the Bengals with 15 starts and made 15 catches for 85 yards.

[citation needed] This is an annual award presented to a player from each team in the National Football League (NFL) who are voted for by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage.

[3] During a morning practice session on August 3, 2009, Kelly suffered a ruptured left Achilles.