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Jim Kelly

Retirement And Beyond



He worked the 1997 season as a broadcaster for NBC. He also had his first child in 1997. His son, Hunter James Kelly, was born with Krabbe's Disease, a rare disorder that affects the brain and usually leads to an early death. Kelly redirected his focus and formed an organization to raise money for research for the disease. He and his wife Kelly also have a daughter, Erin.



Career Statistics

Passing
Yr Team Att Com Yds COM% TD INT RAT
BUF: Buffalo Bills.
1986 BUF 480 285 3593 59.4 22 17 83.3
1987 BUF 419 250 2798 59.7 19 11 83.8
1988 BUF 452 269 3380 59.5 15 17 78.2
1989 BUF 391 228 3130 58.3 25 18 86.2
1990 BUF 346 219 2829 63.3 24 9 101.2
1991 BUF 474 304 3844 64.1 33 17 97.6
1992 BUF 462 269 3457 58.2 23 19 81.2
1993 BUF 470 288 3382 61.3 18 18 79.9
1994 BUF 448 285 3114 63.6 22 17 84.6
1995 BUF 458 255 3130 55.7 22 13 81.1
1996 BUF 379 222 2810 58.6 14 19 73.2
TOTAL 4779 2874 35467 60.1 237 175 84.4

Chronology

1960 Born February 14 in East Brady, Pennsylvania
1979 Starts in his eighth game at the University of Miami
1980 Leads team to Peach Bowl appearance
1983 Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, but signs with Houston Gamblers of USFL
1984 Named USFL's Most Valuable Player
1986 Signs with the Buffalo Bills
1987 Named All-Pro
1988 Leads team to AFC East division title
1990 Leads Buffalo to first ever Super Bowl
1991 Makes second Super Bowl appearance
1992 Leads team to third Super Bowl
1993 Leads Buffalo to record setting fourth consecutive Super Bowl
1996 Retires after disappointing season
1997 Son is born with rare Krabbe's Disease
2002 Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Awards and Accomplishments

1983 Selected in first round of NFL draft
1984 Named USFL Most Valuable Player
1988-89, 1991-93 Selected to Pro Bowl
1990-93 Wins AFC Championship
1990-93 Played in Super Bowl
2002 Inducted Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kelly briefly considered returning to the NFL in 1998 with the Baltimore Ravens, a decision influenced by a desire to raise money for Hunter's Hope, his research foundation. He remained retired, however, and close to his family. Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Although Kelly never became a Super Bowl champion his performance on and off the field earned him the respect of his fans and colleagues. A hard-nosed player who had to endure his share of criticism and failure, Kelly never succumbed to the pressures of the NFL. He led a floundering franchise to the promise land and kept them there for many years.

Additional topics

Famous Sports StarsFootballJim Kelly Biography - Early Excellence, The Class Of 1983, So Close, So Far, Retirement And Beyond