Champ Kelly named Interim General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders

Campbellton native and Graceville High School alumnus Anthony “Champ” Kelly has been named Interim General Manager for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Graduating from GHS in 1998, Kelly is a prime example of how dedication, perseverance, and hard work can allow a person from even the smallest towns to succeed in the big world.

Kelly is the son of Michael Kelly and Marcia Sorey and was raised in Campbellton, attending Graceville Elementary and High School. He was a star student and star athlete at GHS where he played on the Tigers football team four years in both offensive and defensive positions. In the four years Kelly played football for GHS, he helped the team win four consecutive district championships and competed in four state playoffs. Kelly didn’t just excel in football while at GHS, he was also an All-American academic lettering in football, baseball, basketball, and track. Kelly was also an academic participating in several organizations including Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as President of the Student Council. Graduating as the Class Salutatorian with a 3.83 GPA, Kelly also left GHS with a four-year scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

After college, Kelly received his first opportunity in the NFL from the Denver Broncos in 2007. Prior to that he had served as General Manager of the Lexington Horseman, a team then under the United Indoor Football league. He continued his career moving onto the NFL’s Chicago Bears in 2015 as the team’s Director of Pro Scouting. In 2017, Kelly was promoted to Assistant Director of Player Personnel for the Bears. In February 2022, Kelly moved onto the Las Vegas Raiders where he was named Assistant General Manager. On November 1, 2023, Kelly was named Interim General Manager of the Raiders. This move will not only advance Kelly’s career but it will ensure his name in history books as the Las Vegas Raiders became the first team in NFL history to have an all-black leadership group.

During a press conference earlier this month, Kelly commented, “I’m prepared for this position”. He continued, “I'm prepared for this because I know what I don't know. There will be hiccups. It won't be perfect. But I'm wise enough to know that God equips those he calls.”

Even while making a noteworthy career in the NFL, Kelly has still found the time to give back to the place he calls home. Every year since 2010, Kelly has hosted the prestigious Champ Camp in North Florida. Focusing on exposing local athletes to positive role models Champ Camp focuses on Character, Heart, Attitude, Motivation, and Pride (C.H.A.M.P.) and has continued to be a success for more than a decade.

The Las Vegas Raiders will be headed to Florida this week to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 19. To follow Kelly on his journey as the Las Vegas Raiders Interim General Manager visit the Raiders website at www.raiders.com. For more information on Anthony “Champ” Kelly, Heart Power Inc., or the Florida C.H.A.M.P. camps, please visit www.heartpowerinc.org.