When the story of the Buffalo Bills is told, a name that comes up early is Jim Kelly, the team's starting quarterback from 1986-96, who produced some of the greatest highlights – and biggest heartbreaks – in franchise history.
Unfortunately for Kelly, after beating cancer in 2019, the Hall of Famer suffered a stroke earlier this year, with the 66-year-old telling ESPN that he suffered a bit of a setback back in the spring but is in good spirits and good health overall.
“I had a little setback about a month and a half ago,” Kelly told ESPN. “But right now, I feel good. Eyesight's not great. My hearing still sucks, but that's part of life.”
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While Kelly's road back from his stroke may take a little longer than some expected, in the end, he has a very exciting light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Highmark Stadium, which will open this fall.
“It's going to be special, not only for the players, but imagine the fans in there, how crazy and wild and loud they're going to get,” Kelly said. “And that's what I'm looking forward to. I want to see how loud this stadium can get. And from what I've been told, it's going to be unbelievable, but I don't expect anything less.”
On the field, Kelly was known for his toughness, able to weather the harsh winter of Western New York to play in multiple Super Bowls. Though his playing days may be over, Kelly has proven his mentality hasn't changed as he looks toward a recovery from his stroke.
When the story of the Buffalo Bills is told, a name that comes up early is Jim Kelly, the team's starting quarterback from 1986-96, who produced some of the greatest highlights – and biggest heartbreaks – in franchise history.