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Eagles Anthem Singer Timmy Kelly
 
January 7, 2004 | Last Updated: 1/7/04 12:22 PM ET | Comments (0)

PHILADELPHIA - After bringing the house down on two separate occasions, 10-year-old sensation Timmy Kelly will once again treat Eagles fans as he sings the National Anthem prior to this weekend's Divisional Playoff Game vs. the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field. His appearances at both the New Orleans Saints game on 11/23 and the San Francisco 49ers game on 12/21 elicited more letters and phone calls than the team had ever received about a singer.

"We just had to have him back," said Eagles President Joe Banner. "The outpouring of support from the fans was overwhelming!"

Anthemist Timmy Kelly assisted by his father.
But Timmy's story makes his accomplishment seem even more remarkable. Born prematurely, doctors helped Timmy fight through surgery and illness in most of his early life. But it wasn't until he was about three months old before doctors suspected that he was blind. And although he was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy shortly thereafter, he has maintained a fairly "normal" life, attending Murray Avenue Middle, a mainstream school, and generally acting like any other pre-teen.

But unlike other children, from the time he was little Timmy liked to sing. His parents noticed, and when he asked to try out to sing the National Anthem at an Eagles game three years ago, they drove from their home in Huntingdon Valley (PA) to Lehigh to audition.

That first year Timmy caught the judges' eyes; with his free spirit and beautiful voice he was easily a choice for the callback at Veteran's Stadium. But Timmy was nervous and gauged the pitch incorrectly. He missed the high notes of the song, didn't finish, and was invited to try again next year. That's exactly what he did. The following year, Timmy made it to the second round once again, but his parents had planned a family vacation on the same day as the audition and he was forced to wait for a second time.

This year everything went off without a hitch. After a great audition and a callback, this time at Lincoln Financial Field, Timmy heard his name called as one of the winners. "There were all of these people around him," said Timmy's father Tim Kelly, "but he just kept jumping up and down and screaming, he was so excited! He even knocked his glasses off his face!"

And twice since then, with his heart in his throat, Tim Kelly has watched his son Timmy sing the Anthem in front of a packed stadium. "I'm biased," the elder Kelly continued, "his mother and I both think he's a great singer, but to hear that wave of applause come from the crowd - it's hard to put into words what that's like for a father."

The Philadelphia Eagles are pleased to welcome Timmy Kelly to Lincoln Financial Field to honor our country once again on this special occasion.

# # #

Fans can also see Timmy Kelly sing the Eagles fight song this Friday at noon

at the Eagles Pep Rally at City Hall's Dilworth Plaza.

Friday's Pep Rally will also be carried live on CBS3 from noon to 12:30 pm.

Eagles Anthem Singer Timmy Kelly
   
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