Summer 2024
Football

Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly announces his cancer has returned

By Jason Romano Mar 1, 2018
Former Bills Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly in 2017. (Photo Courtesy: Erin Kelly-Bean/Instagram -- @EKelly1212)

Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly issued a statement through the Buffalo Bills that his cancer has returned.

“As our family has faced many trials and triumphs throughout the years, you have blessed us with your prayers. We are asking for those prayers once again,” Kelly said in a statement Thursday. “The oral cancer we hoped would be gone forever has returned. Although I was shocked and deeply saddened to receive this news, I know that God is with me. I continuously talk about the four F’s: Faith, Family, Friends and Fans. With all of you by my side, we will fight and win this battle together. Staying ‘Kelly Tough’ and trusting God, will carry us through this difficult time.”

Jim’s wife Jill shared her feelings on her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfyXFgWA09r/?hl=en&taken-by=jillmkelly

“The cancer is back. We are shocked, heartbroken, sad, angry, confused, and just darn tired. Yet, despite how we feel, we KNOW that God is a promise maker and keeper. He is who He says He is! He can do what He says He can do! We don’t have to understand His ways to trust His heart. The battle is HIS. (Exodus 14:14) We need you …. In addition to our faith, family and friends..we really need you and your prayer warrior friends to pray. We’re all in this together. THANK YOU! The more life and heartbreak I experience, the more I realize that this is not the end of the story. Life is temporary. And short. But eternity…is FOREVER. Because we know that our eternity is secure in Christ, we can trust God with every breath up on this earth.”

Jim’s daughter Erin then posted a similar message on her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfyXD79FhKf/?hl=en&taken-by=ekelly1212

“Words feel inadequate. Truthfully, it’s hard to even comprehend that I’m writing this… My dad’s cancer is back. I don’t understand. But I have to choose to hold onto the only thing I am sure of… Jesus. Lord Jesus… I know my dad and I know our family…with Your strength, he will continue to persevere and fight like never before and we will fight right along with him…knowing that You have already won the war. Because of You we always have hope! Although we don’t know what tomorrow holds, today we choose to trust the One who holds tomorrow. Please Pray. #KellyTough.”

Kelly, 58, played in Buffalo for 11 seasons from 1986 through 1996 and started at quarterback for the Bills in four consecutive Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Jim Kelly and his impending battle with cancer,” the Bills said in a statement Thursday. “Jim is a tough and courageous man and we know he will fight this battle with strength and determination. The Buffalo Bills will support the Kelly family during this trying time and we ask our fans to pray for the family as Jim begins the treatment process and the road to recovery.”

Please join us in praying for Jim and the entire Kelly family.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

 

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