Ray Glier
Ray Glier has written for various media for over 40 years, as a contributor to national publications including The New York Times, Vice Sports, USA TODAY, The Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, Atlanta JournalConstitution and The Washington Post. The author of five books, Glier has a passion for master sports and seniors athletes, and shares their stories of triumph and joy in his unique, inspiring, and always moving weekly newsletter, Geezer Jock. For more great masters sports content, subscribe to Ray’s free weekly email at geezerjocknewsletter.com. 16
GROWING BOLDER / MARCH 202 2 DIGE S T
“I still have about six more years of work then I’ll retire, and start training in the pool twice a week, and then I’ll really be fast,” said Kelly, a professor at LSU and a church pastor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “My goal is to be a national champion within 10 years.” Many people at 68 years old hesitate to buy green bananas. Some will declare, “This is the last car I’ll ever buy.” Not Herman Osby Kelly, who is living a paradox of a life. He’s older, but time isn’t running out, not by his estimation. He’s on the 10-year plan. Kelly won seven gold medals in two Louisiana State Senior Games (2018, 2019) swimming the butterfly, individual medley, and breaststroke. The health of his wife Linda, who he was married to for 37 years, and the scourge of Covid, contained his ambition in the pool the last two years. Linda died August 7, 2021, and Herman leads charity events for his beloved, as well as others with cancer.
Photography by The Advocate/Bill Feig
Herman 'The Warrior' Soldiers On
He turned 68 years old in February, but this is no time for a Farewell Tour for Dr. Herman Kelly. He is just getting warmed up and aims to bring back the adrenaline that soaked him and stoked him in college when he was a member of the famed Morehouse College Tiger Sharks. That was 50 years ago.
