| October 29, 2004 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 05:17 PM |
This week we talk about former Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly. During his Hall of Fame career, Jim took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs eight times and the Super Bowl four consecutive years. His amazing handling of the K-Gun offense (or the no-huddle) terrorized defenses during the early 90s. Jim was routinely among the league's leading passers. He led the NFL in passing in 1990 and the AFC in 1991, and his 101.2 passer rating in 1990 still ranks among the best single-season performances ever.
Kelly took a roundabout path to the NFL, choosing to sign with the USFL's Houston Gamblers instead of the Bills, who selected him in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. In his only two seasons (1984 and 1985) with the Gamblers, he passed for 9,842 yards and tossed 83 touchdowns.
After the USFL folded following the 1985 season, Kelly signed with the Bills. In 11 seasons in Buffalo, Kelly racked up 35,467 passing yards, 2,874 completions, and 237 touchdowns. He eclipsed 3,000 yards passing in eight of those 11 years, was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and threw 21 touchdown passes in 17 playoff games. Jim was one of the great of the 90’s.
Along with his performance on the football field, Kelly performed on his own radio and television shows in Buffalo. He also has acting experience in the soap opera General Hospital, as well as on several national television talk shows. Kelly joined the ESPN media team as an analyst following his retirement.
Kelly is a former Punt, Pass & Kick national semifinalist and is active in many charities in the Buffalo area. His annual charity golf tournament has raised more than $1 million, as has his "Kelly For Kids Foundation" program. And in 1991, he was awarded the Leukemia Society of America's Man of the Year. Kelly also heads Hunter's Hope, named for his son, to aid other children stricken with Krabbes' Disease. Kelly lives in Buffalo with his wife Jill and daughters Erin and Camryn, and their son Hunter.
Championship Teams
1990 AFC Champions - Buffalo Bills
1991 AFC Champions - Buffalo Bills
1992 AFC Champions - Buffalo Bills
1993 AFC Champions - Buffalo Bills
Some of his highlights while playing in the NFL include:
Career Highlights
All-Pro: 1991 (AP, PFWA, SN, PW, NEA)
All-Pro Second Team: 1990 (NEA), 1992 (AP)
All-AFC: 1991 (UPI, PW)
All-AFC Second Team: 1990 (UPI)
Pro Bowls: 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002
