Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Photo
Shawn Donaldson
Photo
Stephen Kelly
Thunder players Stephen Kelly and Shawn Patrick Donaldson are all business as they attempt to win a roster spot on the af2 team.
NILES — The demands of preseason camp may put a crimp in the St. Patrick’s Day revelry of Mahoning Valley Thunder players Stephen Kelly and Shawn Patrick Donaldson, but winning a roster spot on the af2 team comes first.
Kelly and Donaldson, both rather large leprechauns at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, and 6-4, 300, respectively, took time out after Monday’s practice to talk about their Irish heritage.
Kelly, with red hair and beard, is a first-year af2 player from Wichita, Kan.
Kelly, who is one-quarter Irish, graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2007, then played in the United Indoor League for two seasons.
His first af2 year was with the Sioux City Bandits in 2007, then the Wichita Wild in 2008.
He said the UIL merged with another conference to become the IFL. Kelly was a lineman in college and thereafter, but now he’s at fullback.
He’s not bothered much by the change.
“It’s still mostly blocking. Actually, I’m an offensive lineman with a head start,” he laughed.
Most recently, Kelly had a tryout for the Kansas City Brigade of the AFL, which suspended its season.
“After I tried out in October and found out about the AFL’s postponement, [Thunder coach Mike] Hold called and wanted to see if I’d come up,” he said. “I signed a contract in case the AFL didn’t operate.”
Thunder players have nicknamed Kelly “Country,” because of his midwestern roots and country boy background.
Kelly said his full-blooded Irish grandmother’s surname was O’Kelly, who married a guy named Kelly.
“She decided to drop the ‘O,’ ” Kelly said. His dad is half-Irish.
The 23-year-old Kelly said he’d love to partake of the day’s activities, but training comes first.
Would he normally celebrate today?
“Oh, definitely.”
Donaldson said his father also has the redhead trait.
“He was a freckled kid and is red-headed through and through,” said Donaldson, a second-year af2 player with Mahoning Valley for the first time.
Donaldson played for the Texas Copperheads last year right out of college at Kent State.
After suffering a torn shoulder muscle, Donaldson said his NFL chances diminished.
“I knew I wasn’t going to get looks because of that,” he said. “It’s a liability to them, so I decided to go down to af2 to get some pro film this way then try to work my way up.”
Donaldson, originally from Dover in Tuscarawas County, played a full season for the Copperheads, who folded after last season.
“I started every game at tight end.”
The 23-year-old Donaldson, who lives in Kent, said he’s delaying his green beer and eggs.
“I get together with some guys once in awhile, but the way training camp is scheduled, I’ll have to push that back a little bit because football comes first,” he said.
bassetti@vindy.com