LYNN — Lynn native and former Lynn Classical quarterback Keith Ridley Jr. was awarded a Division 1 scholarship at Bryant University, where he still plays quarterback.
Ridley, who tore it up at Classical, set the school’s single-season records for completion percentage, passing yards, and passing TDs, has been putting in work at Bryant as a backup quarterback for the last three years and is now being recognized for it.
Ridley also happens to be the grandson of the current assistant principal at St. Mary’s, Jim Ridley, who was previously a coach and principal at Lynn Tech.
“It is just unbelievable, and it is just really like trusting the process. I have been at Bryant for three years grinding, working really, really hard with my teammates and the coaches — they gave me an opportunity when I transferred from Boston College, so I am very grateful for that,” said Ridley.
“They have just given me countless opportunities while here at Bryant to show my gameplay, and they have helped me develop so much as a person and as a player,” he continued.
Ridley’s teammates and coaches concocted a spectacular way to let him know he would be on scholarship. Similar to what is seen on the NFL’s reality show Hard Knocks, Ridley was slated to go up on stage before a team meeting and do an impression of one of his coaches as a joke.
However, to his surprise, when Ridley stepped onto the stage, he was given a letter that explained he was receiving a scholarship. The screen behind him flashed the news, and Ridley was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
“You know I got up on that stage and I thought I was doing improv of one of my coaches, and I opened the letter and saw that it was congratulations Keith, you are on scholarship — I was shocked that was the last thing I was expecting that night — it was just a great feeling,” said Ridley.
“I was just so shocked, and then everybody came over to me, and I was choked up a little bit — there was just so much emotion going through me, and then when everyone came up, I was just super excited — it was just a wholesome moment,” he said.
It has been a grind for Ridley to get the award of a scholarship, and, as he mentioned before, he came to Bryant from Boston College after transferring during his first semester there. Years later, transferring from Boston College is something Ridley looks at with a smile.
While Ridley says he was blessed to experience Boston College, he really thinks he found himself at Bryant.
“It was a blessing to be there, and the experience was awesome — I was just struggling finding myself at the school [Boston College] — I feel like I was not in the good up-spirited mood like I usually am,” said Ridley.
“When I made the transfer to Bryant, only a few people really believed in me and the process, and I feel like now everybody can see how much of a great decision that was. I have a community around here that supports me, and I support them, and it is a very mutual experience and love here at Bryant for the past three years between my coaches and teammates and everybody,” he said.
As training camp is underway for Ridley and his teammates, he is getting as many reps as possible and working hard in case his number is called this season.
“I feel like I have had a pretty competitive camp this year — I know my role on the team, and I know I am here to support the guys, and I will be traveling to games, and I will be ready for whatever opportunity comes my way,” said Ridley.
“I feel like I have had a pretty solid camp, and I have really developed as a quarterback and a football player over the past three years tremendously, and I cannot do that without my coaches and my teammates that are supporting me — I am just taking it one step at a time, and I am ready for whatever happens,” he added.
Off the field, following his final year at Bryant, Ridley hopes to pursue a career in sports broadcasting as an analyst on a network like ESPN. With two years of eligibility as an athlete left, Ridley hopes to go somewhere to continue his football career while getting his master’s degree.
With Ridley’s recent success, he hopes his story of hard work and persistence can inspire younger generations.
“I am hoping I can try to inspire my younger generations to just keep pushing forward because good things happen to hard workers,” said Ridley.
Michael Coughlin Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
