Colts center Ryan Kelly and his wife Emma took to social media on Monday to announce the tragic loss of their infant baby girl, “Mary Katherine Kelly, aka Mary Kate.”
On Monday, Kelly shared in identical posts on Twitter and Instagram that the couple’s daughter died on Dec. 17, 2021.
“The pain and brokenness is so unbearable for Ryan and I we don’t even know where to begin,” Emma wrote in a post on Instagram. “I learned her little heart just stopped for reasons unknown on Wednesday afternoon after rushing to the hospital upon discovering a little bleeding.”
Emma said she was 19 weeks along in her pregnancy, and one week away from the “the halfway mark” when they lost “MKK.”
“After learning she wasn’t with us anymore, I was told there was no other choice but to deliver our baby next,” Emma wrote. “Ryan and I spent almost 48 hours in the hospital. I labored for 24 hours with her before she made her entrance on December 17th. I was so angry at first that I had to deliver her, only for it to become the biggest blessing out of this nightmare. It gave Ryan and I the opportunity to hold our little Saint, Mary Kate, before officially saying goodbye to her.”
Kelly, in his own post, penned a heartfelt letter to the couple’s daughter. He also shared a photo of Mary Kate’s little handprint, and a snapshot with Emma holding the newborn.
“Nothing made me happier than being your Dad. You gave your Mom and I that gift,” Kelly wrote. “You were simply a miracle and always will be. I’m sorry you never got to open those sweet eyes and see us or take your first steps but you have angel wings now.
“You left this world too soon but we know God had a bigger purpose for you. Your mom and I find comfort knowing you’re being loved on by your great grandparents. Thank you for watching over us and your future siblings. I’ll forever wonder who you’d be today. Until we meet again my sweet girl, I love you.”
Kelly missed the Colts’ 27-17 win over the Patriots on Saturday night to be with his family. It’s unclear when he will return to the team.
Indianapolis coach, Frank Reich, said the team held off celebrating the win due to the tragic news about Kelly’s daughter.
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, via the Indy Star, said, “We can all just show him the love and care that he has for this game. We can show that same love and care for him off the field… It just shows that life hits everybody hard at some point along the road. We’re here thinking about Ryan and his family as they go through this tough time.”
Kelly, the Colts’ starting center, signed a four-year extension last year — making him the NFL’s highest-paid center. The Colts drafted Kelly out of Alabama with the No. 18 overall in 2016.