We first met Brandon six years ago, when his Speech-Language Pathologist, Loryn McGill, wrote about their work together for our Fall 2019 Magazine. Brandon is a big fan of MLB All-Star George Springer. With George leading his team into yet another World Series, we caught up with Brandon, and Loryn to find out what they have been doing since we last spoke. 

SFA Interview with Brandon Kelly

When did you start rooting for George Springer?

I started rooting for George Springer when I was 6 years old. I was already a huge baseball fan and the Astros were my favorite team then. I knew who George Springer was, but once I found out that he stuttered like me it made him my favorite player forever!

Once he got traded, did you still root for him?

Yes! I was excited when he signed with the Blue Jays. I’ll always cheer for George Springer wherever he plays! The Blue Jays are my favorite team now, they have an awesome team.

How many times have you met him?

I have been so lucky to officially meet George Springer three times now. I got to talk to him twice in Anaheim at Angel Stadium and once when I went to a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre in Toronto. I also got to do an interview with him on the MLB Network one time to talk about stuttering, which was a really awesome experience. Ever since I first met George in 2019, I go to see him play every time the Blue Jays come to Angel Stadium. I bring my same “Springer, I Stutter Too” sign and I sit by where he plays in right field. He always waves at me, runs over to quickly ask me how I am, or give me a high five. He is always so nice to me!

What did he say to you about stuttering?

George always tells me to embrace it and that it is okay to stutter. He says I should embrace my stuttering, enjoy life, and not let something that I can’t control stop me from being who I want to be or from saying what I want to say. I got “Embrace It” embroidered onto my own baseball glove to always remind me of the advice he gave me.

How do you feel knowing an All-Star like him also stutters?

Knowing that an MLB star like George Springer stutters like me is so inspiring to me. Before I first met George, I felt really alone with my stuttering because I had never met someone else who stutters. For him to take the time to talk to me about stuttering and encourage me has really changed how I feel about my stuttering. Plus, I love to play baseball and I wear #4 just like George. It is so cool that right now in the playoffs and World Series I get to watch my favorite player make baseball history, and then get to watch him go and talk to all the reporters on television all over the world. It is so cool and inspiring to watch him embrace his own stuttering – just like he tells me to do -- as he talks to the reporters. George Springer really is my hero on the field and off for all the support he gives to kids who stutter.

How do you feel about working on stuttering with Loryn McGill?

Miss Loryn is also awesome. She is the one speech therapist who has always taught me it is okay to stutter. She teaches me to always speak up for myself and disclose my stuttering to others. Like, it was her idea that I should make a sign to tell George Springer that I stutter like him. She helped me have the courage to make that sign tell everyone in the stadium that I stutter, because I was nervous about it at first! Sometimes I am more okay with my stuttering and sometimes I really don’t like it, but Miss Loryn is always supportive and encourages me that I can do anything.

Can you name something about your stutter that you are proud to have worked on?

I am proud that I have worked on embracing my stuttering and not being afraid to disclose my stuttering to other people. Last year I ran for student council at school and had to give a speech. I started my speech by telling everyone that I stutter and that they may hear me stutter, but that it was okay and the important thing was what I had to say about why they should vote for me. I did stutter in my speech, but it made me feel less nervous that I had already told everyone about it. I won the election! Then later that year all my classmates and teachers voted me the “Most Inspirational Student” which was really amazing.

What advice would you give to a 6-year-old who has a stutter to help them?

I would tell a 6-year-old that it is okay to stutter and to embrace their stutter. I’d tell them not to be afraid to talk in public or at school in front of other people. If someone makes fun of you, just advocate for yourself because they may not know what stuttering is.

Do you think George Springer will win another World Series?

Yes!!!! I know George will hit even more “Springer Dingers” and help the Blue Jays win the World Series! Let’s go #4 and Blue Jays!!

SFA Interview with Loryn McGill, M.S.CCC-SLP; Speech and Language Pathologist; Owner, OC Stuttering Center; Faculty, University of Southern California

How long have you worked with Brandon?

I have worked with Brandon for 6 years.

How did you integrate his love of baseball/the Astros/George Springer into your work with him?

I strive to connect with every person I work with on a genuine and personal level. Building trust and rapport is an integral part of the therapeutic process; making each client feel truly seen and valued for who they are.  From the moment I met Brandon and he was proudly wearing his Astros gear, I knew we had to connect in this way.  To this day he provides me with a weekly sports update keeping me informed about who is playing who and player statistics. Let’s just say that I know a lot about baseball thanks to him! It is great that we have continued to learn from each other and finding that shared connection has been such a special and rewarding part of our work together. 

The SFA maintains a list of famous people who stutter, including athletes and other celebrities—how helpful is it for students to have a “role model” they can look up to and/or identify with?

Having role models who stutter openly and speak confidently about their experiences can be truly life changing. Many young people who stutter may not have the chance to meet others who sound like them, so seeing someone embrace their stutter offers a powerful glimpse into what’s possible for the future. It shows that stuttering doesn’t define or limit who you can become, it’s simply one part of who you are.

When someone shares their stuttering journey with openness and authenticity, they send a message that resonates deeply; you can chase your dreams, lead with confidence, and still stutter. They remind us that real strength isn’t about hiding our stutter; it’s about owning it. They show us that our voices, exactly as they are, deserve to be heard.

How has Brandon progressed through your work with him?

I have watched Brandon gain immense confidence in who he is as a young person who stutters. Although his journey has not been without challenges, he has shown incredible resilience in navigating the variability that comes with stuttering. What was once his biggest secret has now become a source of inspiration for others, and for himself and I am deeply proud of him for that. Connecting with George has been a special part of his stuttering journey, and I am grateful for the positive influence he has had in Brandon’s life. When faced with difficult moments, we often ask, “What would George do?”, and sometimes that simple question is all it takes for Brandon to find courage and move forward.

LINKS:

From CBC: For Brandon Kelly, George Springer is not just a great hitter, but a role model for kids who stutter

Check out George Springer's bio on ESPN

Article from our Winter 2018 Magazine: A Home Run for Stuttering

USA Today article from 2017 World Series: George Springer won't be silenced: He handles stutter, embraces World Series spotlight

Article from our Fall 2017 Magazine: Bringing It Home

Posted Oct. 28, 2025