Here are your favorite Jim Kelly memories!
May 3, 2002
Get your Hurricane Football Gear Here
– From Chris Larson, Jacksonville, FL : My favorite Jim Kelly moment was against Penn State in 1980 in the Orange Bowl. He threw the perfect pass to Larry Brodsky for a touchdown.I am an avid Buffalo Bill fan who moved to Miami in 1978 and became a season ticket holder for the Canes in 1979 to 1981. There were many memories of Jim in Miami and I will always remember him taking the Bills to 4 Super Bowls.
From Robert “Mack” McArdle Jr., Henderson, Nevada: I believe Jim Kelly is responsible for the term “Quaterback University” which we are known for. Coach Howard S. and lineman Art Kehoe at the time would agree to that. I remember Jim throwing passes to me even after he had practiced all day, talk about dedication. Those Peach Bowl days with Jim and Howard are something to be proud of, I know I am. “Mack” Class of 82′
From Kevin Westra, Lake Worth,Fl.: My favorite memory of Jim Kelly was in 1987 in Tempe,Arizona. My friends and I were there to attend Canes-Penn St. As we stood around before the game,Jim was walking through the parking lot.We were all clad in our bright orange Hurricane jerseys. Jim approaches,and I say hello.We chatted for a couple of minutes and then Jim was kind enough to take snapshots with us. Jim remains as classy today as he was that memorable day in Arizona. Congratulations,Jim .The Hall of Fame truly deserves you.
Alan Kennedy, Ponte Vedra, FL.: When I was in 10th grade at Miami Springs High. I went to the UM Football camp and since I was going to play quarterback that year I was able to meet Jim Kelly and Coach Alexander. I was really impressed that he took the time to teach me all the fundamentals of playing quarterback. Here I was this little kid from miami and he really taught me alot that summer. I’m a firemen in Jacksonville now for the city and all my friends know the story. Thanks
Jack Kosowsky, Robbinsville, NJ: I was at UM during the time when Jim was there. I even had him in a few classes. My favorite Kelly memory was not on the football field but rather when he show’s up for a pep rally wearing a Gator’s eat Booger’s t-shirt. There was a picture of a slimy gator with it’s finger up it’s nose. I think there’s a picture in one of the yearbooks of him in this shirt. Maybe 81 or 82. Congratulations Jim on making the Hall of Fame. You will always be #12 of the Canes in our hearts.
Bruce L. Ashcraft, Charlotte, NC: Traveled to the Fiesta Bowl (UMvsPSU) with Jim Kelly’s ole room mate, Stu Kesselhaut. Met Jim in the parking lot before the game. Played catch with him in his $2000 lizard skin boots. About time to go in for the game, he sees 2 babes walking by and snaps his fingers and says, “hey”. They come over and in a couple of minutes he tells the blond that “she’s with him tonight.” Next thing we know, she is on the field with him as he does a pre-game TV interview. Stu tells me this kind of thing happens to Kel all the time.
Ken Loughry, Miami, FL : My first memory of Jim (“Jimmy” back then) was watching him play high school football in the fall of 1976 or 1977. He was the star athlete at the now-defunct East Brady High School in East Brady, PA. Although a very small school, East Brady annualy turned out great athletes, and still does. None, however, turned out to match the abilities of Jim Kelly. I was in grade school at the time, and my father was a coach at rival Karns City High School. He took me to watch the “Little 12” Championship in which Jim led his Bulldogs to the Championship.
Jay Cross, Cheektowaga, NY : I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate Jim Kelly on his most deserving honor. As a Buffalo resident, I have seen first hand what Jim Kelly means to the Buffalo community. He stands for everything this community is about: toughness and Determination. Jim’s “BIG PLAY” actions on the field during his playing days are only matched by his “BIG PLAY” contributions in the community. Thanks Jim for the lifetime of memories you gave me in 11 great years.
Ron Palmer, W., Dothan, AL : Don’t remember the year or the opponent but remember the pass thatJim threw 65 yards to wide receiver Pat Walker that set up the game winningtouchdown at the two yard line. What was so remarkable about the throw washigh he threw it so Pat could have enough time to get to it! That one throwput to rest the pundits that said “Kelly didn’t have the arm for the NFL”.Section “X” row 42 seat 21…with all my kids in tow. Jim, you have haveearned a well deserved spot in the “Hall”.
George Sconyers, Spokane, WA : I don’t remember the opponent. It was an afternoon game in theOrange Bowl and Jim was scrambling. He got about 8 or 9 yards up the fieldand lowered his shoulder and ran over the linebacker on the other team for afirst down. I had never seen a quarterback do that before.
Gary Monnett, West Palm Beach, FL: My favorite Jim Kelly moment was against Penn State in the OrangeBowl. That’s the game that set the stage for the UM program. It opened theeyes of everyone and gained the U of M football program true nationalrecognition. I was just 13 years olds at the time, but that game made me aCANE 4 LIFE.
Mike Byrd, Hobe Sound, FL : Watching Kelly quarterback the Canes to an impressive 17 to 14victory in the Orange Bowl over then #1 ranked Penn St. in Oct. of 1981,Penn St. also had the Heisman trophy winner, Curt Warner on that team. Miamijumped out to a 14 to nothing lead and held on. Kelly hit Brosky for atouchdown pass right in front of where I was sitting in the Orange Bowl!
John , Reynolds, D, Sunrise, FL :It’s plain and simple: the 1981 peach bowl. Jim had a great game;it was the only thing that kept us warm . Not only was it the Canes’ firstbowl in 13 years but it helped to get U.M. some national recongnition. Goodluck # 12 you deserve it.
Anthony Zeidler, Rocky Point, NY : I have always been a Hurricane fan. After returning to New York,after gratuating from UM in 68, I really missed watching the Canes play.When the Canes traveled to State College (Jim’s first start)I said to mywife pack up the kids, our twin sons were 4 at the time, I am going tointroduce the family to Hurricane Football!
What a trip! What a game! In the midst of Penn State people before the gamepredicting a Nitney Lion slaughter, you can imagine the joy we had with Jimpassing the Canes to a landmark victory.
What was really special was that as the team returned from halftime, Jimcaught the eyes of some 4 year old fans, smiled at them and than continuedon to the field. What a great kid he was. My wife said right then he wasgoing to be great. My wife is always right.
Well we have been back to the Orange Bowl often for as many games as we can.We follw the Canes on the road as much as possible. This Christmas the kids,we now have a 21 year old daughter in addition to our 26 year old sons, gaveus a trip to the Rose Bowl as our gift.
One of those 4 year old boys, Adam did his dad proud and is an alum of UM,class of 98. We both had the opportunity of meeting Jim Kelly again at theKick Off Clasic. He signed a poster for Adam and he values it greatly.
Good luck to Jim. He is an outstanding person as well as a superquarterback.
Bob Hindman, Lakeland, FL: The year we went up to Penn State and beat them that put uswhere we are today. He had a lot to do with where this program is now. Hehad so much fight in him he hated to lose. He was a great person first and greatplayer. Good luck to Jim Kelly. He deserves to be in the hall of fame.
Brent Nevers E., Concord, CA: My favorite memory of Jim Kelly is when he led his team to a 31-7victory over the Gators in Gainesville…then hoisted a plastic toy Gatorby the neck with some string–in front of a national televisionaudience….I loved that !!!!
Go Canes!(p.s. I don’t care if you go 1-10…just beat the Gators! I will neverforgive the Gator flop).
Norma Mendez, Miami, FL: Congratulations!! Go Canes! Thanks for starting us up.
Class of 83′ “Eaton Hall”You’re Awesome!
Roland G. Boyce, Osteen, FL: Jim Kelly made his first varsity starthis freshman year against Penn State.The game was played at Beaver Stadium and he led us to victory. Iattended the game with my good friend, a Penn State grad, and hecouldn’t believe theoutcome (26-10) nor could the thousands of fans leaving the stadium thatday. Wewalked briskly back to the Nittany Lion Inn where we were parked. Someonein a group walking beside us said “how .. .could we ever loose toMiami?? My friend replied–“KELLY !!
Peter DeFalco, Phoenix, AZ: Jim Kelly was our intramural referee in 1978 and we spent longhours talking about how he was going to become the starting QB and turnaround the program.We also talked how Joe Pa wouldn’t let him play QB and Coach Saban got himto come to UM.
