Mr. Kelly. You have changed lives. I can not tell you how profound of an impact you made on myself. I met you in Iraq in 2006. Of all the things I could have said, I clamored out "How are you? Where is Therman?" Lol. I was so nervous. You had been a hero of mine for years at that time. I got the opportunity to play flag football with you that night and could not have been higher in the world! The one thing I noticed that night above all, was seeing the pain you were in playing with us... yet you kept going. No complaints to bring us some joy and peace amidst the hell we were all in. From that day on I would not let pain play a part in my life especially in front of my troops. That carried me through to today 4 deployments later. Sir you will always be a champion of those that know you. Thank you for everything you do. Mark Temple
I actually played catch with Jim Kelly when I was 8yrs old. I lived in South Jersey and was friends with his nephew. I didn't realize how special it was at the moment, especially because we are eagles fans in my house lol but when I told my dad he lost it he couldn't believe his son was throwing a football around with the bills great and all around great guy Jim Kelly. I'll always remember how nice he was. He wasn't annoyed some kids wanted to play ball but he enjoyed himself. He's definitely one of nicest people I ever met . Thank you again mr.kelley if you ever read this your the man and I appreciate you taking the time to play catch with us. If anyone can overcome these opsticals it's you . I'm rooting for you!
That's a good story, I coached Matt Barkley here in Irvine, Ca. in SOCCER of all things when he was ~8 or so......He doesn't remember, Hell my own son doesn't remember him either.....lol.
When I was a kid, I sailed the ocean with Christopher Columbus! He always enjoyed sailing with the kids and took them fishing for sharks! I'll never forget those moments!
I coached Lawrence Taylor when he was about 8 or so I made him a starting LB on my Varsity team he had 100 college scholarships he was the best in the nation crazy part is I was born in 87' but he was the best on the team
Growing up watching this man from his first game to his last. I have to say it was a great pleasure seeing this man compete every Sunday. I don;t care that we lost 4 strait SuperBowls. The highlights and the joy The Bills gave far outweighs those 4 games.
Here here! Well said! I’m a Life long Dolphin fan and I was a Kelly admirer and I loved Marino even at Pitt but I woulda took Kelly at the top of the 83 class, he definitely was a great player on a great teaming Norwood hits that field goal who knows coulda won 4 in a row I’d take Kelly over Brady and not feel like a loser but He is a better man and it inspires me to have a closer walk with Christ in my heart and in my life !
I feel that, but you could make an argument for Marino or Elway as well. All 3 are top tier for toughness, resilience, but man, what a draft class. Those 3 in particular slam my door shut as far as Brady being the GOAT. He couldn't hang with these actual men
As a diehard Marino fan, Kelly was my nemesis growing up. Now , I adore this man, his amazing teammates and family. His entire life is a test that many of us wouldn’t pass. I hope he continues his fight with epic success. Jim and the Kelly’s deserve the best.
That first year with Buffalo, the day he walked into the Astrodome, the Houston Fans were so appreciative for his years with the Gamblers, Kelly got a huge applause from Houston. That was the beginning of the Bills v Oilers or Kelly v Moon.......As an Oilers fan, I hate to say it, Jim was a great QB that seemed to find a way to beat my Oilers
Exactly my story. Toughest SOB that played from a generation of tough SOB's. I earnestly wish he would have gotten the ring...he deserved it if anyone ever did.
I believe if he could of won one of the Super Bowls he would be considered one of the best ever. Its sad he is barley even mentioned in the conversation.
Knix I hear you. He definitely should be mentioned a lot more. In an ESPN ranking of the Greatest quarterbacks of all time by John Clayton they have 15 quarterbacks on that list and they have Jim Kelly on that list. I was pleased and happy to see that. He definitely deserves more recognition.
Knix here you go, here's a link to the article: www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18581054/greatest-quarterbacks-all-ranking-john-clayton-picks-tom-brady-new-england-patriots-best-nfl-qb-ever
As a Raider fan, I always remember the struggles we had with the Bills and frankly, it was funny to see the Bills go 0-4 in the Super Bowl. But now looking back at Jim Kelly's career and realizing the kind of guy he is...man, I wish like hell he coulda won at least one. And if you don't have tears when Jim Kelly calls his son "his hero" during his HoF speech...I don't know. You're probably just not human. God bless you, Kelly family.
I live two hours away from Buffalo and thus followed them closely. I suspect if Scott Norwood got that kick those other Super bowls would have been much different.
Jim Kelly is the nicest human being ever I got a chance to meet him at a Dallas Cowboys thanksgiving game in 2017 took a picture with him and his beautiful wife 🙏🏿❤️❤️❤️
As a Jet fan Jim Kelly ruined a lot on Sundays for my Grandfather and I but we always marveled at his toughness, I wish Jim and his family all the best in Health & Happiness, God Bless and you will see Hunter again and he'll be big & strong.
Another great Pennsylvania Quarterback. He is one of the greatest of all time. If he wins those 4 Super Bowls or even 3 of them, history remembers him differently. This man has my respect and I route for him to overcome his health challenges.
Joshua Lovehall Very true. Despite playing for the rival Buffalo Bills, we love and respect Jim Kelly here in Miami. He was the first great Miami Hurricane QB. I'm also routing for him to overcome and beat his health issues.
Versus L and that Giants D,, Aikman and Emmett twice and a very well put together Washington team? 3 outta 4 is a tough proposition. Also, if they hadn't come back from 28 down against the Oilers, they would have gone to 3. That game against the Oilers was his greatest game ever though.
I think of it now as we won the AFC Championship 4 years in a row. We were tops in the AFC in the playoffs and during the season we beat the Giants, Skins and Cowboys around the same time so it's just a name of a game. Maybe the SB isn't as great as just being a good team that could run it up on anyone
I absolutely love Jim Kelly and the early 90 Buffalo bills I was born in 1982 and the first memories I have of pro football is the Buffalo bills beating the LA raiders in the AFC championship game and really giving it to them I'm pretty sure that was the year they lost her Giants and the super bowl the one super bowl they should have won for sure much love and respect did Jim Kelly Thurman Thomas Andre Reed James lofton don beebee Bruce Smith Cornelius Bennett Steve Tasker and also Frank wright for the best comeback ever and that whole Buffalo bills early 90s team
Jim Kelly is one of the finest individuals one can find. As a man, a father, teammate, and friend. He has faced the toughest of odds in career, personal, and family. And although I am not a father, he is what I would want my child to emulate. He was also one damn fine football player.
Wow this one had me in tears. What a struggle this guy had his whole life, deck always stacked against him, and still came out on top. I literally lost it on his hall of fame speech calling his son "my hero." How much hardship can one go through? Ask Jim Kelly, he'll tell ya. One of my buddies once told me, when you think you have it bad, just remember, someone else out there has it worse. I live by those words every day, always counting my blessings.
watching Jim gave me and my family such joy and togetherness as a kid my heart goes to you and your family through the hardships you had to endure god bless you Mr.Kelly
Jim Kelly was an asshole during his Buffalo Bills era, but I will never forget the day that I moved from Buffalo down to Texas and was in Junior high when the Bills lost to the cowboys twice and I was just heartbroken, but my last day of school I had mailed in a football card of Jim Kelly to get it autographed months in advance and I thought that I would never see that card ever again until the last day of my sixth grade year when I got a letter in the mail from One Bills Drive with the same card with Jim Kelly’s autograph on it. He was my idol and he turned out to be a wonderful person and is so well loved here in Buffalo. Getting to meet and greet him in person and getting his autograph jersey was the icing on the cake. He is one of the toughest people you will ever meet and may God Bless him and his beautiful family..
Andre Reed.. Jeez I forgot about Andre.. This Bills team was class.. Thurman was a great ball carrier too btw. #34?? I remember my brother and I spending every week watching the AFC and NFC championships games on Irish TV back in the 1980's and 1990's but I had moved to the UK by early 1991 and I wasn't catching as uch of the games but I loved the Buffalo Bills and Jim and the guys and that's a time I will never forget in my life. Jim was around in the time of Dan Marino and other great QB's. I didn't know about Jim's son being so ill back in this time. I wanna say how sorry I am to hear about his and his family's loss. It's great to hear their story and that they managed to work thru their life issues and came thru to be better people. I loved Jim the footballer. I didn't know about his life outside football. WOW! It just goes to show that these guys are human beings and not robots and we should respect the fact they have lives off the field which can impact their footballing lives at times too. If there's a message I take from this it is to be a bit nicer to the players who may be going thru a bad time in their private lives.. Huge respect to every player out there but I wanna finish by saying that I loved watching this about the Bills and Jim and his family.
Jim Kelly I grew up watching you and to see your story and see the details strengthens me to continue grow and build even when I fall. You are one of God's chosen sir..SALUTE TO you.
What a hero, that guy is tougher than dirt. I'll admit, I wanted to see what he is like recently after taking so many hard, hard hits. QBs now a days have no idea what old school football was like before these rules came in. Jim is still sharp and doing things for good causes. I'm so happy for him, I used to root against him as a kid, and now I'm rooting for him. Total class act this guy.
The finest QB in NFL history a lot of Class as a player and as a person one of the greatest QB : Great Passer, True team Leader , An American Hero , I remember my son watching the NFL Draft yelling at me Pa come over is Jim Kelly look at the standing ovation He’s receiving whatta moment I was so glad to see all the love and admiration from all the 🏈fans for Him and His family, well deserved 🙏Respect 🦬
Loved Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills - Jim is an inspiration and Super Bowl win or not - we had such a great time and still do...it's a life time commitment being a Bills fan! God Bless Jim Kelly and his wife and family and of course Go Bills!💙🙏❤
Chocked up a bit during this. Especially when he said he was driving to see his son and he died on the way. Was drying off from a shower on my way to see my dad and I got a call saying my dad died. Was on the way to see my stepdad driving and got a call that my stepdad died. It’s odd how often that happens to people.
I saw Jim Kelly play in almost every Houston Gamblers game, many in person in the Houston Astrodome. First, the Gamblers DID outdraw the Houston Oilers at that time. I was there. Kelley and Moon were the best QBs Houston every had. Btw, I wish Al Davis would have pulled the tigger, dumped Marc Wilson and won a few Super Bowls with Jim Kelly, Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson (plus that awesome Howie Long defense). The original gunslinger. Bills fans, you had a great QB in Kelly.
Steve Steele Coming from a Raiders fan that would've been great. I grew up in Austin and I'm still here. That Houston presence was strong here in Texas. Good times.
Jim Kelly has adamantium like will man he’s been through so much..idc if he lost four Super Bowls he was an amazing inspirational player who doesn’t get enough recognition
Perfect example of why you Never say Never. Thanks for all the awesome times Jim. We love you, and always wish nothing but the best for you and your family. God bless.
I was at work one Sunday when the Bills were playing and as I listened to the game Jim Kelly went out with a suspended concussion. Two plays later Kelly came back into the game threw a pass, the pass was intercepted, the player who intercepted bother pass was running by everyone the only Bill who stood in his way was Jim Kelly. Kelly tackled the runner so hard it broke the runners leg. Jim Kelly was one tough quarterback. Thanks for the video.
How could you dislike this im a die hard chiefs fan and i have nothing but respect for this guy and the bills franchise. They are passionate and diehard fans to still stick by a team that loses 4 super bowls in a row
Kelly may not win a super bowl but he won a super bowl off the field with his toughness courage and strength very positive all around he deserve a sb title
I didn't appreciate Jim Kelly as a kid growing up. Being able 2 watch him. I knew he was great n I miss watching him. Had some greats 2 look up 2 in my childhood. Joe Montana, Dan Marino, john elway, Steve young, troy Aikman, Brett Favre. Jim Kelly. I miss watching those guy's play the game..
Don't disrespect Brady bruh, from a pats fan. This man is a tough mother...! Halfway through most would give up. And it shows when your at your lowest, turning to the lord "Jesus" positive things WILL happen. The lord loves us. And God bless Jim Kelly.
There’s a slight nitpick at 1:05. Steve Tasker said the the Bills played the Arizona Cardinals in 1990. The Cardinals went by the name Phoenix Cardinals at the time. They didn’t change the name to Arizona Cardinals until 1994.
Even tho, yes, we lost 4 SB's in a row, ...those were 4 of the VERY FEW games we lost during the entire Kelly era. It seemed like we almost never lost! Every game was ELECTRIC! I often argue that, had we won that first SB, we may have very well WON the next 3, ....but the reality is, that its more likely that the team would have been picked apart by free agency, and we probably would not have even made it to the next 3. Over those 4 SB seasons alone, '90-'93, the Bills went 58-18! And Jim Kelly was A TRUE FIELD GENERAL, maybe even the last one there ever was(save for Payton Manning), and the toughest SOB you ever saw! And to know Jim is a man of such strong faith, makes me so happy he was our QB! To me, he has been used by God to demonstrate how truly blessed we all are, even in the face of despair. A Champion of LIFE ITSELF!
Probably one of the very very few good moves the late Bills owner ever made was holding on to the rights to Jim Kelly and then eventually signing him---otherwise Wilson was probably one of the worst owners in NFL history---from not resigning head coach Chuck Knox in 1983 (even after he took the team to the playoffs two straight years) to firing GM Bill Polian in 1993 (over an argument Polian had with the team's treasurer Jeff Littman)--the 17 years out of the playoffs were for the most part due to the ineptitude of Wilson
Ralph was a businessman first and foremost. The bottom line was the most important thing... He let unqualified slick talking salesmen like Russ Brandon run the football side because he was still making a lot of money. Though after all was said and done, he and his wife kept the Bills in Buffalo. Ralph was many things, not all of them conducive to winning football games, but he did right by the city.
Ralph Wilson cared about Ralph Wilson and Ralph Wilson alone--he threatened to move the Bills to Seattle in the 1970's and forced Erie County to build Rich Stadium and then when he wasn't getting what he wanted in renovations to the stadium in later years-he made the deal to play a game a year in Toronto. He constantly meddled in the personal and surrounded himself with "yes" men--aka Brandon, Littman etc--I always believed that it would take a change in ownership to turn the Bills around--it seems the Pegula's are finally doing that (interestingly Littman "retired" and Doug Whaley was fired--both leftovers from the Wilson era)
Kelly never played big in the biggest game. But, he beat cancer so that is a OG thing and a blessing. But, that line Josh Allen would have won 1. That line was one of the best ever in Bills history!
As a Rochestarian, (resident of Rochester, NY), I can say that western NY sucks you in. I was born here, I'll die here. I'm not surprised at all that once Jim experienced...whatever this part of the country offers, he stayed. And as a lifelong Bills fan, I'm glad he did. This man meant and continues to mean so much to Buffalo, Rochester, and the surrounding areas. We're proud to claim him as our adopted son
There was never a QB more worthy of the hall of fame. Despite the Super Bowl losses, you don't dominate an entire conference for 4 straight years and not be great.
