Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback has announced that his oral cancer has returned via a statement from the athlete.
Hall of Fame quarterback, Jim Kelly has announced that his cancer has returned after nearly two years being cancer free.
“As our family has faced many trials and triumphs throughout the years, you have blessed us with your prayers. We are asking for those prayers once again,” Kelly said in a press release. “The oral cancer we hoped would be gone forever has returned. Although I was shocked and deeply saddened to receive this news, I know God is with me. I continuously talk with the four F’s: Faith, Family, Friends and Fans. With all of you by my side, we will fight and win this battle together. Staying ‘Kelly Tough’ and trusting God will carry us through this difficult time.”
In 2013 Kelly was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, cancer that forms in the upper jaw. The cancer was removed and he was considered on the road to recovery until it reappeared in early 2014. He was later cleared of the disease in 2016.
Kelly’s wife Jill also posted a statement on her Instagram account with a touching photo of her and Kelly in the hospital.
“We are shocked, heartbroken, sad, angry, confused, and just darn tired,” she wrote.
Kelly spent his entire 11-year professional NFL career with the Buffalo Bills where he became known for his “K-Gun” offense (no-huddle shotgun formations). He holds the 2nd all-time NFL record for most yards gained per completion in a single game and appeared in four Super Bowls. He finished his long career with 2,874 completions in 4,779 attempts for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, which are all Buffalo Bills records. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002 and his number (12) was retired by the Buffalo Bills.