Jim Kelly

Keynote Speaker

Greatness Lies Within Tenacity

NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback, Jim Kelly exemplifies what toughness is all about.  Born on Valentine’s Day he was raised in East Brady, PA. He played for the University of Miami.  Despite being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1983, he opted to play for the USFL until they suspended operations.  He then went back to his contract with the Buffalo Bills where he played for his entire NFL career.  In 2001 Jim had his name added to the Buffalo Bills Wall of fame and is the first Buffalo Bills player to have his jersey retired.  In August of 2002 he was enshrined in the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon a professional player.  But nothing would prepare him for the battle his family would face when his only son Hunter was diagnosed with a fatal disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy.  He celebrated 8 years of life and was laid to rest on August 5, 2005.  Jim and his wife Jill established Hunters Hope Foundation which continues to changes lives of children and families all over the world. 

But Jim Kelly’s obstacles were not going to end there; in June 2013, Jim announced he had been diagnosed with Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the upper jaw bone. He underwent surgery shortly after and was told by doctors he was cancer free.  However, less than one year later in March of 2014, his cancer returned. This time surgery was not an option, and Jim received an intensive regimen of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  Currently there is no sign of cancer, and goes for frequent checkups.  It is an ongoing battle, but there is no doubt Jim has a true appreciation of life.  He believes in the four F’s – Faith, Family, Friends &Fans.  He shares his “Journey of Perseverance” and asks that everyone do their part to Make a Difference Today for Someone Who is Fighting for Their Tomorrow. Although Jim is the definition of Kelly Tough, he knows, that staying tough takes faith in God, and surrounding himself by a great team.