Book Review: Kelly Tough by Erin Kelly and Jill Kelly
Book Description:
Do not let the title Kelly Tough fool you. This is not a “be all you can be, no pain–no gain” story. Toughness is overrated. And being Kelly Tough, well, you are about to find out what that really means and why it just might matter to you.
Kelly Tough is a story of love and hope: a love between a father and a daughter—Buffalo Bill’s former quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his oldest daughter Erin. Erin shares a deeply personal account of the love a family can have for each other during the darkest times, and a greater love that a heavenly Father has for you.
Whatever circumstance or heartbreak you find yourself overwhelmed by right now, it is not the end of the story. In fact, it just might be one of the greatest chapters as you, like the Kelly’s, find strength in weakness, hope in the midst of heartache, and joy in spite of suffering.
Yesterday I shared why I wanted to review Kelly Tough. Today I share why it might be the best non fiction book for the year.
As soon as I opened the first pages, tears started to form. It’s more than the lovely remarks people made or the foreward by Peter King. I truly believe this book is covered with God’s fingerprints and anointing. It was something I could have highlighted nearly every page, several lines. It was more than a book about NFL quarterback Jim Kelly and his family or recent cancer treatments. It’s a book for all of us.
Kelly Tough is written by Jim’s oldest daughter, Erin, and his wife, Jill. Erin is in college now but writes with such authenticity and skill that I hope her future includes writing full time. She is generous with her memories and family experiences, even when they cloudy any image fans might have of the Kelly family. Thing is, she’s most generous with her faith. To have watched her beloved brother, Hunter, pass away, and then watch her dad battle cancer, you can tell through the grief and hard questions, she’s got a rock solid faith.
And no matter what your past or current situation, she wants you to consider having a solid faith in Christ, too.
Kelly Tough is something I want to aspire to as Erin shares many examples of what that means. It’s more than not quitting. It’s not just good manners that Jim instilled in the kids. You need to read what Kelly Tough embodies.
The book was inspiring, emotional, informational and one I’m still thinking about even though I closed the cover quite awhile ago. One tidbit I was so impressed by was Frank Reich, the backup quarterback for the Bills when Jim was active. I’d read about his faith years and years ago but Erin and Jill did a tremendous job showing what Christlike is all about. The man was a servant on the field, content to be in the shadows while Jim saw the activity and got the accolades. When Jim was in such pain from the cancer and treatment, many of his teammates and former opponents came to cheer and encourage Jim. But Frank? What a takeaway visual on how to walk the walk, so to speak.
There’s so much I want to say because I loved Kelly Tough that much. But it’s a book you need to read, whether you’re a football fan or not. I think you’ll be impressed by what Erin shares and how well she does. I sure was.
To purchase Kelly Tough, click here.
I received Kelly Tough from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
