Football Legend Jim Kelly Returns To Hometown With Special Gift, Inspirational Words
EAST BRADY (KDKA) -- East Brady is a quiet river town, northeast of Pittsburgh. But a young man who grew up there would lead the Buffalo Bills to four Super Bowls.
Years later, players and cheerleaders at nearby Karns City High await the return of what a sign proudly proclaims the "Hometown Hall of Famer."
The East Brady Bulldogs opposed the Karns City Gremlins on the gridiron, back when Jim Kelly was playing quarterback in high school. Since then, both schools have merged, and now, everyone's on the same team.
Schools like Karns City receive a commemorative golden football for each hometown player from all 50 Super Bowls. Kelly presented the ball to a coach Friday. He also offered inspiration to the team.
"In order to be the best, in order to get to the top, you have to come together as a team," he tells the players.
"You want your kids to be proud of where their dad came from," he says later. "Even though these are young kids, when I walked through my high school it put a big smile on my face."
He has a handshake and hug for a teacher he still calls "Mister." His attitude has helped him through two bouts with cancer.
"I'm going to beat this, or I'm going to make it better," he says. "I'm going to learn from this. Too many people nowadays give up on things. Don't ever give up!"
But could the East Brady player make the Karns City team?
"Jim Kelly could definitely make our team," laughs athletic director Brian Markle. "He still has a good arm."
And he still loves the land where he grew up.
"It's family," he says. "Western Pennsylvania's always been family. East Brady's always been my home. Now, Karns City is part of my family."
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