Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly announced that he suffered a stroke earlier this spring. Kelly shared the news with reporters in Orchard Park, New York, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Highmark Stadium.
"I had a little setback about a month and a half ago," Kelly said, according to ESPN. "But right now, I feel good. Eyesight’s not great. My hearing still sucks, but that’s part of life."
Kelly, 66, has a history of health issues, including multiple cancer diagnoses. In 2018, he underwent surgery to remove oral cancer and reconstruct his upper jaw. Prior to that, he received chemotherapy in 2014 for cancer found in his maxillary sinus and had an initial surgery in 2013 to remove squamous cell carcinoma from his upper jawbone. Kelly confirmed that his recent cancer screenings have come back clear.
Kelly was the Bills' franchise quarterback from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. He remains involved with the Bills organization and expressed anticipation for the team's first home game in their new stadium on September 17 against the Detroit Lions.
"It’s going to be special, not only for the players, but imagine the fans in there, how crazy and wild and loud they’re going to get," Kelly said. "And that’s what I’m looking forward to. I want to see how loud this stadium can get. And from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be unbelievable, but I don’t expect anything less."