Dan Marino visits hospitalized Jim Kelly (Photo)

They were two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, entering the NFL at the same time in the famous 1983 draft class, separated by 13 picks with one of them playing their college football in Miami while the other played there professionally.

Dan Marino and Jim Kelly have a lot in common and the bond they built competing for so long in the AFC East on transcended the gridiron as Marino visited Kelly, who is battling a recurrence of cancer, in the hospital.

The photo included this caption: On the field. Off the field. Brothers. Memories and stories. Laughter and tears. Thank you #13 You’re the only dolphin we love! #prayersforjk #NFL #DanMarino

This is an incredibly touching gesture by Marino to visit with his former adversary when he needs it the most. It’s no wonder that when athletes retire they often say they won’t miss the game, but they’ll miss the relationships and the guys in the locker room the most.

Continued prayers and well-wishes for Kelly who begins chemotherapy and radiation to treat his sinus cancer next week.