Jim Kelly Says He Suffered Stroke This Spring but Feels Good

Jim Kelly said Tuesday that he suffered a stroke this spring and spent several days in the hospital. The former Buffalo Bills quarterback made the comments at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the team's new stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. "I had a little setback about a month and a half ago," Kelly said.

Kelly, 66, has a history of cancer treatment. He underwent surgery in 2013 to remove squamous cell carcinoma of the upper jawbone and received chemotherapy in 2014 after cancer was found in his maxillary sinus. Additional surgeries followed in 2018 to remove oral cancer and reconstruct his upper jaw.

Kelly stated that his recent scans have come back clean. "Everything's good," he said. " Kelly played for the Bills from 1986 to 1996 and appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls. He received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in 2018.

He said he is looking ahead to the 2026 regular-season home opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13 at the new Highmark Stadium and hopes to enjoy many years there with his grandson.