SouthernWorldwide.com – Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly disclosed that he experienced a stroke earlier this spring, which necessitated a brief hospital stay. He has since stated that he is feeling “really good.”
Kelly shared this news with reporters in Orchard Park, New York, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Highmark Stadium, the future home of the Bills. While the occasion was celebratory, marking the team’s transition into a new era at their new venue, Kelly’s personal announcement came as an unexpected revelation.
“I had a little setback about a month and a half ago,” Kelly explained, according to ESPN. “But right now, I feel good. Eyesight’s not great. My hearing still sucks, but that’s part of life.”
The 66-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer has a history of health challenges, including multiple cancer diagnoses. His most recent battle with cancer occurred in 2018, requiring surgery to remove oral cancer and reconstruct his upper jaw. Prior to that, he underwent chemotherapy in 2014 for cancer detected in his maxillary sinus, and had an initial surgery in 2013 to remove squamous cell carcinoma from his upper jawbone.
Kelly confirmed that his recent cancer screenings have all come back clear.
“Everything’s good,” he added.
Kelly is an iconic figure in Bills history, having served as the team’s franchise quarterback from 1986 to 1996. During his tenure, he famously led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Unfortunately, these championship games all resulted in defeats for the team.
Consequently, the Bills are still seeking their first Vince Lombardi Trophy, despite recent successful seasons with Josh Allen at the helm. Since Allen’s draft in 2018, the Bills have reached the AFC Championship Game twice, but were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs on both occasions.
Kelly, who continues to reside in the Western New York area and remains actively involved with the Bills organization, expressed his anticipation for the team’s inaugural home game in the new stadium. The Bills are scheduled to host the Detroit Lions in their regular-season opener on September 17th, and Kelly hopes for a victorious debut for the new Highmark Stadium.
“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 remarked. “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.”
Buffalo fans are renowned for their distinctive pregame traditions, which include activities like jumping through tables, consuming pizza from filing cabinets, and dousing “Pinto Ron” with condiments during tailgating. The rallying cry of “Let’s Go Buffalo!” has echoed through the old Highmark Stadium for years and is expected to resonate even more strongly in the new venue. The new stadium will accommodate 60,108 spectators on game days, a reduction of over 10,000 seats from the previous stadium, though it is anticipated that all seats will offer excellent views of the action.
