Jim Kelly Diagnosed with Cancer

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma (cancer) of the upper jaw bone. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday.

Kelly issed the statement Monday morning prior to his 27th annual golf tournament that benefits his Hunter’s Hope Foundation and other pediatric causes.

“This past couple of weeks has been difficult for me,” Kelly said in his statement. “I was recently diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma of the upper jaw bone.

“I have undergone tests which have shown that the cancer is isolated to my upper jaw and has not spread to other parts of my body,” Kelly said. “Doctors have told me that the prognosis for my recovery is very good.”

Kelly was under center from 1979-82 for the Hurricanes, throwing for 5,233 yards and 32 TDs. He was drafted with 14th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft but opted to play for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers from 1984-85. He later joined the Bills in 1986, the first 11 seasons in Buffalo.

As the Bills’ QB, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowl appearances. He finished his NFL career with 35,467 yards and 237 TDs. Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

“With the excellent medical care that I will be receiving and the loving care of my wife Jill and my daughters Erin and Camryn and the support of my entire family and friend, I am extremely confident in my road to recovery. I plan to tackle this challenge head on, as we Kelly’s always do, with toughness, perseverance and faith.”

For Jim Kelly’s complete statement, click here.