By Darin Larry Kelley conquers opposing defenses with a clever, relentless style that made him a gridiron icon. Operating as the premier pass-catcher of the 1930s Ivy League, the Yale standout turned impossible odds into spectacular touchdowns. From his unstoppable performances against legendary rivals to claiming the first-ever trophy renamed in honor of John Heisman, Kelley carved out a legacy of innovation and clutch play. Step back in time to discover the story of the Yale “genius” who fundamentally changed the value of the end position forever.
Football Bio
May 30, 1915 – Conneaut, Ohio – Yale’s great end from 1934 through the 1936 season, Larry Kelley, was born. Kelley has been described by multiple sources as a very crafty and innovative player.
The FootballFoundation.org even cites journalist Allison Danzig of the New York Times, who called Larry a “genius who gets the touchdown regardless of the odds.” One example Danzig could be referring to is a 1934 contest against Princeton, in which Kelley caught a pass, ran 30 yards, and was trapped by two defenders at the goal line. He rammed between them and scored for a 7-0 Yale victory. Lightning struck twice: in the 1936 Yale-Princeton matchup, the Elis were down 16-0 but rallied to win 26-23. Kelley gave a straight-arm to a defender and subsequently bull-rushed his way to a critical touchdown.
In total, he played against Yale rivals Harvard and Princeton 6 times, scored a TD in each contest, and Yale lost only once. Kelley indeed made a difference; he was that good. Good enough that in 1936, he won the Heisman Trophy, the second year of the award, and the first time it was called the Heisman. The National Football Foundation selected Larry Kelley for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Conclusion
Larry Kelley sets the historical gold standard for modern two-way ends through his instantaneous reactions and pure athletic dominance. He cements an ironclad legacy at Yale by torturing rival defenses and delivering victory in the game’s tightest moments. By rising above standard backfield candidates to claim the first renamed Heisman Trophy, Kelley proved that an elite end could dictate the entire outcome of a college football season. Today, his 1969 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame guarantees that the “genius” of New Haven will live on forever.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Heisman Trophy Winner: 1936 (The first player to win the award under the name “Heisman”).
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1969.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1936.
- First-Team All-American: 1934.
- Second-Team All-American: 1935.
- Yale Football Team Captain: Elected team captain for the 1936 season.
- Ivy League Rivalry Record: The only player in Yale history to score a touchdown in every single career game played against Harvard and Princeton.
- East-West Shrine Game MVP: Named the Most Valuable Player in the historic all-star contest.
- Career Offensive Statistics: Hauled in 49 receptions for 889 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
- Two-Way Dominance: Logged 15 total career touchdowns from the end position, including three scores via defensive interceptions.