Kelly to play in the American Football Association of Finland

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Former Pioneer John Kelly as agreed to play for Vantaa TAFT of the American Football Association of Finland. 

Kelly helped lead the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to its first NCAA Division III Championship appearance last fall. He was named third team All-American by D3football.com and also garnered West Region Offensive Player of the Year and WIAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He set four single-season school records (303 completions, 3,626 yards, 36 touchdowns and 3,881 total yards), and tied the school single-game record for passing touchdowns with seven against UW-Eau Claire (Oct. 5). 

"This is an opportunity for him to continue playing, and from John's prospective that's what he always wanted to do is to play football," said offensive coordinator Ryan Munz. "It gives him an opportunity to do something unique, and experience a different part of the world." 

Vantaa TAFT is one of Finland's oldest football clubs, founded in 1981, and competes in the Maple League, Finland's best league.