Jim Kelly nearly breaks the Internet with #InMyFeelings challenge after ESPY's
Rapper Drake may be best-known as the celebrity face of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
But it turns out that the proud Canadian’s music crosses paths with the most American of sports as well, seeping into the NFL.
And what happens when a goofy Internet meme Drake inspired crosses paths with one of the most inspirational stories of the week that itself set Twitter on fire Wednesday night?
Well, what you’ve got there is a legendary, magical moment.
Jim Kelly’s speech at the ESPYs, in which he echoed Jim Valvano’s “don’t ever give up” tagline to inspire the audience when Kelly himself accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, had Twitter going crazy, people re-posting the video and betting their followers that they couldn’t hold back tears while watching it.
If you listen to one thing today (and I mean really listen ) please listen to what Jim Kelly said… pic.twitter.com/kCmUUTS7pn
— Steve Palec (@stevepalec) July 19, 2018
But now, Kelly’s making people smile and if there are tears, they’re tears of joy.
It’s all because of Drake’s #InMyFeelings challenge, devised by Instagram user “theshiggyshow,” which involved perfect dance choreography to the lyrics “Kiki, do you love me?” and “are you riding?”
NFL notables doing the challenge include Russell Wilson (with his wife Ciara) and Odell Beckham, Jr.
When Kelly heard about this latest Internet dance craze, he couldn’t help but get involved.
“My daughters told me about this #inmyfeelingschallenge and I’m always up for a good challenge LMAO,” his post said. “After last night we’re still celebrating. I am so blessed.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback has been battling oral cancer since 2013. Twice the cancer has gone into remission and twice it has returned.
Kelly had his latest surgery on his jaw in March, and it’s left his speech sounding like he has a mouth full of cotton balls thanks to the extensive soft tissue damage that both the cancer and the surgery to remove it have caused.
But just because he doesn’t have the booming voice that he used to shout instructions to his teammates on game day in front of tens of thousands of fans doesn’t mean he can’t still inspire with his words.
During his ESPYs speech, Kelly talked about how faith had replaced fun as one of the “Four Fs” — faith, family, friends, and fans — that guide his life.
“One (F) used to be ‘fun,’ and even though I still have fun, I put the one in there that means more to me than it ever has and that’s my faith,’’ he said. “My faith in the good Lord that he has plans for my life.”
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
