An impressive player coming out of the University of Miami, Jim Kelly was actually a Heisman Trophy candidate prior to a career threatening injury during his senior season. He was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame in 1992.

Houston Gamblers - USFL

Kelly’s first two years of professional football were played in the USFL for the Houston Gamblers (1984-1985). Those years of experience set the stage for an outstanding NFL career. As the quarterback for the Houston Gamblers, talent, drive, and ambition were showcased throughout the two seasons. In 1984 he was named the USFL Player of the year. During his two Gambler seasons Jim threw 83 touchdowns and completed nearly 10,000 yards in passing.

Buffalo Bills – NFL

A commanding presence and great leader, Jim Kelly guided the Buffalo Bills to many accomplishments never before experienced in franchise history. He led the Bills to four consecutive AFC Championships (1990 – 1993). He Guided the Bills to six AFC East Championship games (1988 – 1995). He took the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII). In 1991 he was named the MVP of the Pro Bowl during one of his five Pro Bowl appearances.

Jim Kelly holds almost every significant Buffalo Bills passing record and threw for over 35,000 passing yards and 237 touchdowns during his 11 year career in the NFL. His career passer rating of 84.4% is the sixth highest in NFL History. The Bills added Kelly to the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 2001 – becoming the first Buffalo Bill player to have a number officially retired (#12).

Post-NFL

For Jim however, football was just the beginning of a career in the sports world. Upon retiring after the 1996 season he became an NFL Game Analyst for NBC Sports during the 1997. Then he went to ESPN for 1998 and 1999. Not long afterward Kelly made his NASCAR debut as a co-owner of the #34 car in the Busch Grand National Series.

He had a number of television appearances on General Hospital, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, Oprah Winfrew, The Best Damn Sports Show and Jim Rome Show. He also has been featured on a number of national magazines covers, including: Beckett, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, YAHOO! and Inside Sports.

His list of endorsements and appearances could hardly be more impressive, working with the likes of Coors, Nike, Motorola, Rogaine, Sprint, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Snickers, MCI, and Ameriquest.

His NFL career and media involvement are impressive, and he has used his name to benefit others around the country. Jim’s involvement with charity’s and youth development include: Co-founder with wife Jill Kelly, of Junter’s Hope Foundation (1997) – the foundation has raised over $6 million dollars for research and development; In 1987 he established the Kelly For Kids Foundation (KFK) – raising nearly $3 million dollars for children’s charities in WNY; Served on the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports; Served on the Board of Directors for the NFL Quarterback Club as one of the original founding members; Every summer since 1988, together with NFL colleagues, has taught leadership, sportsmanship, responsibility and the fundamentals of football to young athletes at the Jim Kelly Football Camp.

He currently lives in Buffalo, NF with his wife Jill and their three children, Erin, Hunter, and Camryn.