With his size (6’4″, 295) he displayed versatility any offensive line position and TE in a pinch.
Early in his rookie season he established himself as a starter at G.
In 1989 he moved to RG where he took over for Max Montoya who left for the Raiders via Plan B.
Blados played a season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1991.
Was on the offseason roster of the Seahawks, before ultimately signing on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reuniting him for one final season with Bengals HC Sam Wyche.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1984
North Carolina Tar Heels Jersey Honored (#60)
NOTES:
I got a dreaded RTS on my first try but found his new address quite quickly and sent these cards back out. Brian sent me a very nice note thanking me for being a fan.
In 10 contests he caught 44 passes for 474 yards and a TD.
After the season Sal was signed by the Cleveland Browns.
ACCOLADES:
All UFL 2025
NOTES:
After the Renegades trounced the Brahmas at San Antonio, Sal was kind enough to sign an additional card or two for me after the game. I sent those extras to some friends for some future considerations.
All things aside this is a great looking card of him and I was really glad to add his certified to help close out the set.
TRADE DETAILS:
Traded: 1/1 Alex Mollette BLACK Upper Deck 2024 UFL
Received: Sal Cannella, Marquette King, Mark Gilbert, and Jace Sternberger Upper Deck 2024 UFL autographs.
CARDS: Score Supplemental 1990, Pro Set 1989, Gameday 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 2/3/23 RECEIVED: 3/11/23 (36 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Joe Kelly played LB for the Washington Huskies in 1984 and ’85 where he displayed tremendous ability to be a pass covering LB.
Intercepted 7 passes for 81 yards over college career thanks in part to really impressive ability to diagnose and react to plays.
Semi finalist for the Dick Butkus Award in ’85.
Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft.
Became locked in at starter about midway through rookie season, and by ’89 was leading the LB corps in tackles with 68.
Traded to Jets in 1990 along with Scott Jones for Reggie Rembert in 1990.
He’d pull in a career high 74 tackles that season for New York.
In 1991, intercepted a goal line pass against Miami helping to propel the Jets to the playoffs.
Signed with Raiders in 1993, and again scored career highs in tackles with 97 that year- finishing as the club’s second leading tackler.
Finished out career with one year stints with the Rams (1994), Packers (’95) and Eagles (in ’96).
Saw action in 163 games, starting 106.
NOTES:
Joe Kelly had a quiet, yet solid pro football career playing for 6 NFL teams over 11 seasons. I love his Score Supplemental card with him rolling out. He comes from really impressive bloodlines with both his father playing in the CFL for Montreal, and his uncle playing in the AFL/NFL for the Oilers, Chiefs, Bengals, and Falcons.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
