For Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly and his wife Emma, life goes far beyond the gridiron. Through challenging circumstances, faith and family have been their foundation as they navigate the journey to parenthood.
A Decade in Indianapolis
Since being selected by Indianapolis 18th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, Ryan and Emma have called Indy home for nearly a decade as the 31-year-old prepares for his ninth season.
“Indianapolis is such a great community, it’s a big sports town and a great place to raise your kids,” Ryan says.
The couple had always dreamt of raising a family and were excited to do so in Zionsville. In 2021, they prepared to welcome their first child, but 19 weeks into the pregnancy, Emma and Ryan lost their daughter, Mary Kate, due to complications.
Grief, Community, and Finding Purpose
The stillbirth of their daughter turned their world upside down. While they grieved, the Kellys received an outpouring of messages from others who had also suffered the loss of a baby. By bravely sharing their own story, the Kellys found strength in a supportive community and have used Ryan’s NFL platform to spread awareness and aid in the prevention of stillbirths.
“One thing I’d say is to accept the help; you can’t endure something like this alone,” Emma says. “There’s not much you can do in those moments, other than to have faith.”
Advocating for Stillbirth Prevention
To honor their daughter Mary Kate, they partnered with Healthy Birth Day, an organization that launched the Count the Kicks campaign. Count the Kicks is a stillbirth prevention program in the U.S. that encourages expectant parents to track their baby’s movements and speak up if they notice changes.
The Kellys are unwavering in their commitment to this cause, passionately advocating for Count the Kicks. This organization has already saved thousands of lives, and with more outreach and education, the percentage of preventable stillbirths—currently more than 25%—can continue to grow.
Parents can download the Count the Kicks app for free at www.countthekicks.org. The app helps parents monitor their baby’s movements during the third trimester and provides data to share with healthcare providers.
Welcoming Twins: A Miraculous Turn of Events
After nearly two years of fertility struggles and the loss of their daughter, the Kellys welcomed twin boys, Duke and Ford, in June 2023—more than two months earlier than expected.
Educational resources from Count the Kicks played a pivotal role in Emma’s decision to seek a check-up at the hospital.
“The program saved the lives of our twins,” Emma says. “Right when I started counting movements, I noticed something was off with one of our twins.”
Despite initially being told there was nothing to worry about, Emma returned to the hospital, where doctors discovered an infection that had spread to one of the twins. It became a matter of life and death. Emma went into labor at 27 weeks, and the miracle babies were delivered on June 27 after spending 85 days in the NICU.
Flourishing as a Family
By August 2024, the Kelly family is flourishing. They recently celebrated the twins’ first birthday and are expecting their fourth child. The family is excited about their future in Indianapolis.
“We’re doing so well. They are happy little guys. As parents, it makes us so happy,” Ryan says.
The flexibility of Ryan’s NFL schedule allowed him to be present more often than a traditional job might during the summer months. The family made the most of their time together, whether on a boat in the White River, at the pool, or taking the kids along with them wherever they went.
“Indy has always been such a huge part of our life, football specifically,” Emma says. “I’ve always dreamed of having my children watch their dad play in Lucas Oil Stadium. There’s no better place for family, and we’re starting to explore and see Indy from a different perspective.”
As the Colts prepare for another season and the Kelly family embraces a new chapter, their journey underscores the profound impact of resilience, advocacy, and community. Through their personal trials and triumphs, Ryan and Emma have turned their pain into purpose, championing a cause close to their hearts and finding joy in their growing family. Their story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of using one’s platform for meaningful change.
