Reports: Former UM Star QB Jim Kelly's Cancer Spreading
BUFFALO (CBSMiami) – He was the first in a string of signal callers who helped make the University of Miami "Quarterback U," but Jim Kelly is facing his toughest opponent now, cancer that is spreading through his body.
Jim Kelly's wife Jill wrote in a blog recently that his cancer, originally detected in his jaw, has returned and is spreading, according to News10NBC in Rochester, New York. The legendary quarterback has moved to a Manhattan hospital and will undergo surgery Thursday, according to WIVB in Buffalo.
WIVB reported that Kelly is "weak and 'in bad shape' and has been in and out of the hospital for more than a week. His daughter Erin Kelly posted a picture on Instagram on Sunday that showed Kelly in what appears to be a hospital bed.
Kelly treated the initial diagnosis of cancer in the jaw by having part of his jaw and teeth removed. But, according to WIVB, the cancer returned and is "aggressive." In recent days, he's been visited by former teammates Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, and Andre Reed.
Kelly is most known for leading the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990's. But, Kelly was a five-time Pro Bowler, MVP of the USFL, had his jersey retired in Buffalo, and was elected to the UM Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's also the all-time Bills passing leader with 35,467 yards.
