NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly revealed that he suffered a stroke this spring and had to spend a few days in the hospital, although he feels “really good” now.
Kelly spoke to reporters in Orchard Park, New York, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Highmark Stadium, where the Bills will play starting this season. While the day was ceremonial as the Bills begin a new era in their new stadium, Kelly’s announcement was not news anyone expected.
“I had a little setback about a month and a half ago,” Kelly explained via ESPN. “But right now I’m fine. My vision isn’t great. My hearing still stinks, but that’s part of life.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly stands on the field before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports)
The 66-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer has previously dealt with health issues, including multiple cancer diagnoses. His most recent came in 2018, when he had surgery to remove oral cancer and reconstruct his upper jaw. He also underwent chemotherapy in 2014 for cancer found in his maxillary sinus and had initial surgery in 2013 to remove squamous cell carcinoma from his upper jawbone.
Kelly said his most recent cancer screenings came back “all good.”
JIM KELLY REFLECTS ON WHY HE ‘DEDICATED TO CHANGE MY LIFE’ AND TURN TO FAITH
“Everything is good,” he added.
Kelly is well-known in Bills lore, having been the team’s franchise quarterback from 1986-96, helping lead his team to four consecutive Super Bowls. Unfortunately, all Bills fans remember how they ended – four straight losses.
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly poses on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
Thus, the Bills still do not have a Vince Lombardi trophy in their team facility, despite their run in recent seasons with Josh Allen now at the helm for Buffalo. The Bills reached the AFC Championship Game twice since Allen was drafted in 2018, but they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in both of those games.
Kelly, who still lives in the Western New York area and is actively involved with the Bills, is looking forward to the team’s first home game in their new stadium. The Bills will host the Detroit Lions in their regular season opener on Sept. 17, where he hopes the new Highmark Stadium sees a win in its debut.
“It’s going to be special, not just for the players, but imagine the fans in there, how crazy and wild and loud they’re going to be,” Kelly said. “And that’s what I’m looking forward to. I want to see how high this stadium can get. And from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be incredible, but I expect nothing less.”
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback and Hall of Famer Jim Kelly waves to the crowd as he leaves the field during the penultimate day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on August 10, 2022. (Shawn Dowd/USA TODAY NETWORK Syndication)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Buffalo fans are notorious for their pregame rituals, whether it’s jumping through folding tables, eating pizza out of filing cabinets, or spraying “Pinto Ron” with ketchup and mustard under the tailgate. “Let’s go Buffalo!” rang through the old Highmark Stadium for years, and that will only carry over to the new digs, which will hold a capacity of 60,108 on game days. However, the capacity is over 10,000 fewer than the previous stadium, but there is not expected to be a bad seat in the house.
