How Cole Kelley's revival helped the Memphis Showboats become the USFL's hottest team

Cole Kelley is all too familiar with adversity.

From getting arrested on a DWI charge in 2018, to being undrafted, signed on waivers by the Washington Commanders, then being released in 2021, Kelley said going through a rough time had him in a dark place at one point in his life.

“I turned to God and slowly but surely came out of that dark place,” Kelley said.

Kelley said he built a relationship to God when he transferred from Arkansas to Southeastern Louisiana in 2018. That was right when Kelley was arrested on a suspicion of DWI charge on Feb. 21, 2018.

Kelley had to complete an alcohol safety class and pay $720 in fines after he pled guilty. It led to a suspension and a new outlook on his career.

“When things aren’t going my way, I’m kind of excited because I know it’s happening for a reason,” Kelley said. “Some good stuff is coming around the corner.”

Cole Kelley of the Memphis Showboats throws a pass during the second half against the Houston Gamblers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Cole Kelley of the Memphis Showboats throws a pass during the second half against the Houston Gamblers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The good stuff happened at SE Louisiana, and it's now happening in Memphis.

The Memphis Showboats (5-3) are the hottest team in the USFL, riding a five-game win streak after starting the season 0-3. They are battling with three other teams for two playoff spots with two games left in the regular season. Saturday's matchup with the New Orleans Breakers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (2 p.m., NBC) looms large.

The Showboats' success coincided with Kelley's promotion to starting quarterback after former Memphis star Brady White played in the team's first three games.

Through five games, Kelley has thrown for 1,156 yards and six touchdowns — which is good for sixth in the league. Though Showboats coach Todd Haley said the change of placing Kelley in the starting lineup didn’t happen immediately, Kelley said he had a feeling his time was coming.

“I just had a positive mindset and stayed ready,” Kelley said.

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Kelley, who's listed at 6-foot-7, demonstrated what he could do during a scrimmage when faced with two-minute situations, Haley said.

“We let him go out there and he did a really great job,” Haley said. “When we were struggling a bit, we wanted to see if we could see a little more of what Kelley showed us in practice.”

With Kelley, Haley said you get a player who is honest and wants the coach to go after him.

“He doesn’t shy away from any kind of confrontation, and that usually works well with me,” Haley said.

Memphis Showboats quarterback Cole Kelley (15) passes the ball during the first half against the Philadelphia Stars at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis Showboats quarterback Cole Kelley (15) passes the ball during the first half against the Philadelphia Stars at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

As for his leadership style, Kelley said he leads by being confident, real and aggressive.

“I love being around football and the group of guys we got,” Kelley said. “It makes my job really enjoyable.”

Kelley has thrived, he added, because he can feel the support of Memphis building. Given where he is now, and how he got here, he has his sights set on getting them a championship to celebrate.

“We're the one team that gets the best home field advantage because when we play here, we get a lot of people coming,” Kelley said.

Reach sports writer Jerry Jiang at JJiang@gannett.com or on Twitter @j_jiang30

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Showboats are USFL's hottest team thanks to Cole Kelley