Jim Kelly, his wife, and their two kids, Erin and Camryn, make their home in East Aurora, New York.
Camryn is the older of the two. The couple also welcomed a child into the world on February 14, 1997, a son who they named Hunter James Kelly.
Jim has a birthday with Hunter in that he was born on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, a diagnosis of globoid-cell leukodystrophy, also referred to as Krabbe disease, which is a terminal sickness of the nerve system was made about Hunter.
The illness took Hunter’s life on August 5, 2005, and he passed away at the young age of just 8 years old.
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Table of Contents
Jim Kelly: Who Is He? Biography
James Edward Kelly is a former quarterback with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. Kelly played in the NFL for a total of 11 seasons during his career.
Additionally, he played with the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League for a total of two seasons (USFL).1
While playing college football at the University of Miami, Kelly was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player in the 1981 Peach Bowl.
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Kelly was chosen by the Bills with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1983. He was one of six quarterbacks to be selected in that round.
Instead of signing with the Bills, he decided to sign with the Gamblers, and he did not play for the Bills again until the USFL ceased operations in 1986. Kelly directed one of the most prolific scoring machines in the history of the National Football League by utilizing the “K-Gun” offense, which is recognized for its no-huddle, shotgun formations.
Although the Bills were unsuccessful in all four of their appearances in the Super Bowl that they made between 1990 and 1993, he was a key factor in their success. In addition to this, Kelly was selected for participation in five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1991.
Kelly is one of only three players to have his number retired by the Bills. His colleagues Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith are the other two players to have their numbers retired. In 2002, he was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Who is Jill Kelly (Jim Kelly Wife)?
Jill Kelly is known for being the wife of legendary Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. But there is much more to this incredible woman than her marriage to a football icon. Jill’s own story is one of resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to her family, community, and charitable causes.
Early Life and Education
Jill Waggoner was born and raised in Attica, a small town in western New York. She was the daughter of Jacque and Jerry Waggoner and grew up with seven siblings. Her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic, and Jill excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She attended Notre Dame High School in Batavia, where her teachers praised her for her intelligence, hard work, and friendliness.
After graduating from high school, Jill attended Imperial College in London, where she pursued a degree in computer science. Her decision to study abroad was met with some apprehension from her mother, who was worried about the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf. However, Jill was determined to pursue her education and build a successful career.
Career and Philanthropy
After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Jill moved to Florida and began working in the cable television industry. There, she met Jim Kelly, who was in town for a charity event. The two hit it off and soon began dating. They were married in 1996 and have since built a family together that includes two daughters and a son.
While her husband was busy on the football field, Jill focused on her career and philanthropic endeavors. She has worked as a marketing consultant, motivational speaker, and author. She has also been actively involved in numerous charitable causes, including the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, which Jim and Jill founded in honor of their son, Hunter, who passed away from a rare disease.
Jill has also been a vocal advocate for cancer research and treatment, having battled breast cancer. She has shared her story with others to raise awareness and inspire hope in those fighting their own battles with the disease.
Family Life and Legacy
Jill’s family has always been her top priority. She has been a devoted wife to Jim, supporting him through his football career, his son’s illness and passing, and his battle with cancer. She has also been a loving mother to their three children, Erin, Camryn, and Hunter.
Jill and Jim’s love story has inspired many, not just because of their enduring relationship but because of how they have used their platform to make a difference in the world. Their foundation and other charitable efforts have raised millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research and support.
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Jill Kelly (Jim Kelly Wife): Career
Jill worked for Estee Lauder in the capacity of a promotional assistant in Western New York. She worked as a sales representative for the cosmetics brand in retail locations in Buffalo, Rochester, and Pennsylvania.
Jill was accustomed to the spotlight even before she married a famous football player since she had always been in the public eye.
When she was 16 years old, she was the subject of a profile on the television show “PM Magazine.” In addition to this, an article on Jill was featured on the top page of the Batavia Daily News.
Jill Kelly: Personal Information
| Full Name | Jill Marie Kelly |
|---|---|
| Date Of Birth | Not Available |
| Nickname | Jill |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Father’s Name | Jerry Waggoner |
| Mother’s Name | Jacque Waggoner |
| Place Of Birth | United States |
| House Location | East Aurora, New York |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnicity | White Caucasian |
| Age | Not Available |
| Profession | Author & Speaker |
| Books | Without A Word, Peace In The Face Of Loss |
| Famous For | Wife Of Jim Kelly |
| Nationality | American |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor In B.A. |
| School | Notre Dame High School |
| College | Imperial College, London |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in / 1.75 m / 175 cm |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Not Available |
| Hair Color | White |
| Body Measurements | Not Available |
| Body | Slim |
| Shoe Size | Not Available |
| Favorite Sports | Basketball |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | James Edward Kelly |
| Children | 3: Erin, Carlyn (Daughters), And Late Hunter (Son) |
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Jim Kelly: Illness Details – A Comprehensive Overview
In 2013, Jim Kelly, the famous quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, was diagnosed with mouth cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, he was declared cancer-free in 2014.
Unfortunately, in 2018, the disease returned, and Jim had to undergo further surgeries, including jaw reconstruction, which affected his speaking ability. Despite his struggles, he has continued to fight the disease with tenacity and strength, and his perseverance has earned him the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award at this year’s ESPY Awards.
Types of Cancer
Jim Kelly has battled two types of cancer – squamous cell carcinoma and oral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that affects the squamous cells found in the outer layer of the skin. On the other hand, oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth, tongue, and throat.
Treatment Methods
Jim Kelly has undergone multiple treatment methods to combat his cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Surgery involves the removal of cancerous tissues from the body.
Impact of the Disease
Jim Kelly’s battle with cancer has significantly impacted his life, both physically and emotionally. Following his initial diagnosis in 2013, he underwent grueling treatment and lost 50 pounds. After being declared cancer-free, he resumed his normal activities and even went on a tour to promote cancer awareness. However, in 2018, the disease returned, and he had to undergo further surgeries, including the reconstruction of his jaw. This has affected his speaking ability, and he has had to learn to communicate using other methods.
Ongoing Struggle
Despite the setbacks, Jim Kelly has continued to fight against cancer with tenacity and strength. He has remained positive and has used his platform to promote cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer research. His perseverance earned him the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award at this year’s ESPY Awards, and he inspires many.
Jim Kelly: Career Details
- Kelly was offered a scholarship to play college football at Penn State University under the direction of Joe Paterno, but the school wanted him to play linebacker rather than quarterback.
- After graduating from high school, he went on to play for the University of Miami, where he was an integral part of the team that eventually became regarded as one of the finest in the country.
- After finishing his career at Miami, Kelly threw for 5,233 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 406 completions in 646 attempts. In 1992, he was put into the university’s hall of fame.
- After the demise of the USFL in 1986, Kelly was finally able to fulfill his dream of playing for the Buffalo Bills, who had held onto his NFL rights.
- Between the years 1988 and 1995, he was instrumental in guiding the Buffalo Bills to six divisional titles and four consecutive visits in the Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXV–Super Bowl XXVIII).
- In his 11 seasons with the Bills as their starting quarterback, Kelly led Buffalo to the playoffs eight times.
- Andre Reed, who is Kelly’s primary wide receiver and ‘go-to’ wide out with the Bills, is among the all-time leaders in the NFL in multiple receiving categories.
- The documentary titled “Four Falls of Buffalo” produced by ESPN’s 30 for 30 series featured Kelly, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Scott Norwood as its subjects.
Jim Kelly: Net Worth 2023
It is easy to comprehend given the amount of money that football players bring in. Aside from that, they assemble their financial resources from a myriad of different sources. As a consequence of this, they frequently find themselves in possession of a sizable general resource base.
In the same vein, Jim Kelly does not qualify as an exception to this criterion. In spite of the fact that he gave up nearly two decades ago, as of the year 2021 he possesses a stunning total net worth of $25 million.2
Because of his excellent performance on the football field, he has amassed an incredible fortune over the course of his career. In addition to that, Jim Kelly appeared in a few movies, which considerably increased his entire assets.
You should applaud Jim Kelly’s charitable endeavors regardless of whether or not you are a fan of the material that he creates. He is active in a variety of organizations and institutions, including legislative and non-legislative bodies. In addition to that, he runs and directs a football camp.
Jim Kelly: Childhood and Family
Jim Edward Kelly, a former American football quarterback, was born in Pittsburgh, East Brady, Pennsylvania, in February of 1960. Kelly went on to have a successful career in the sport, and in this article, we’ll dive deeper into his childhood and family background.
Early Life and Family Background
Jim Kelly was raised in a humble section of East Brady, a small town in western Pennsylvania. His parents were Joe Kelly and Alice Kelly, who both worked hard to provide for their families. Kelly’s father, Joe, worked at a glass plant, while his mother, Alice, was a homemaker who cared for their six children.
Despite growing up in a modest environment, Kelly’s childhood was filled with love and support from his family. His parents instilled in him the value of hard work and dedication, which would drive his success later in life.
High School Years
Kelly attended East Brady High School, where he played football and basketball. His talent on the field quickly became apparent, and he was recruited to play for the University of Miami. However, tragedy struck during his senior year of high school when his mother died of cancer.
Despite this heartbreaking loss, Kelly continued to push forward and pursue his dream of playing college football.
College Years
Kelly had a successful football career at the University of Miami, leading his team to a National Championship in 1983. He was named the Orange Bowl Most Valuable Player and the Sporting News College Player of the Year in the same year.3
After college, Kelly was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. He would spend his entire NFL career with the Bills, leading the team to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1991 to 1994.
Jim Kelly: College Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games | Passing | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Record | Att | Cmp | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | ||
| 1979 | Miami | 11 | 5−6 | 104 | 48 | 46.2 | 721 | 5 | 6 | 108.7 |
| 1980 | Miami | 12 | 9−3 | 206 | 109 | 52.9 | 1,519 | 11 | 7 | 125.7 |
| 1981 | Miami | 11 | 9−2 | 283 | 168 | 59.4 | 2,403 | 14 | 14 | 136.2 |
| 1982 | Miami | 11 | 7−4 | 115 | 51 | 44.3 | 585 | 3 | 1 | 133.4 |
| Career | 45 | 30−15 | 676 | 376 | 55.6 | 5,228 | 33 | 28 | 128.4 | |
