FYI: JIM KELLY

[Gransapo]

If the Canes PR staff were competent, they would be wearing these throwbacks for the game.

Anyhow, a little background on Jim Kelly:

Born in Pennsylvania, Kelly wanted to play quarterback for Penn State. Paterno, in his infinite wisdom, told Kelly he could be a linebacker or go kick rocks. Kelly decided to go kick rocks all the way to Miami and play quarterback for the Canes from 1979 to 1982. He was one of the players responsible for the Canes ascent to football powerhouse, leading them to wins against the likes of Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and, you guessed it, Penn State. Kelly was a four year letterman and finished his Canes career with 5,228 yards and 33 touchdowns. In 1992, he was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame and in 2008, his name was added to the Canes Ring of Honor.

Before the draft, Kelly, who didn't like cold weather, told the Vikings, Packers and Bills not to draft him. The Bills ignored him (their last good decision) and drafted him with their second 1st round pick in the 1983 draft. Kelly decided it was warmer in Houston than Buffalo and signed a contract with the Houston Gamblers, a USFL team. He played two seasons for the Gamblers and threw for 9,842 yards and 83 touchdowns. He also won the USFL MVP in 1984.

Having made the USFL his ***** and because of the league’s collapse, Kelly finally joined the Bills in 1986. With the Bills, he proceeded to make every Dolphin fan’s life miserable – making the playoffs in 8 of his 11 seasons as a starter, including 4 straight Super Bowls. Kelly finished his NFL career with 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns. In 2002, Kelly, in his first year of eligibility, was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On June 3, 2013, Kelly announced that he has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Shortly after his surgery, Kelly stated that the procedure was successful and he was now cancer-free. In March 2014, Kelly's cancer returned and he began radiation and chemotherapy treatment. In August 2014, Kelly announced that doctors could no longer find cancer in him.

Jim Kelly, a Canes legend.

 

[Ibis Wingz]

Jim Kelly was a badass at UM and is a legend as a result. He was one of the young men who led UM football to unprecedented achievement and swagger. I agree that the throwbacks would be a great move.

 

[canes1996]

I'm not old enough to remember his playing days, but my old man would always wax nostalgic about the guy who really started to make this program what it became. My actual memories of him relate more to him torturing the Dolphins, back when the Dolphins annually made the playoffs. I remember having mixed feelings about a former Hurricane ripping up my NFL team, but my best memory is of him and Bernie on the sideline mentoring Dorsey during the epic final drive against FSU in 2000.

Great man, and I am really glad he is being honored this weekend. I truly hope the fans show up for this one.

 

[bacane]

Tough kid as a Cane. Tutored, in part, by ex-Dophin/Colt Earl Morrall.

 

[L A M P]

I like the old school uni suggestion.. We could also put KELLY TOUGH across the back of every kids jersey.

Yuck. I hate the word Jersey. Thanks, Al

 

[rsa coral gables]

i saw him play and he is a legend. elevated the U to another level. here's a great pic of him as a kid.

 

[Ibis Wingz]

i saw him play and he is a legend. elevated the U to another level. here's a great pic of him as a kid.

View attachment 26854

Is that Terry Bradshaw next to him?

 

[Hurricanemike32]

i saw him play and he is a legend. elevated the U to another level. here's a great pic of him as a kid.

View attachment 26854

Is that Terry Bradshaw next to him?

I would say yes...it certainly looks like him and Jim is from Pennsylvania. Probably idolized Terry Bradshaw as a kid.

 

[sml]

A legend and played for my favorite college and NFL football squad (yep, I'm a Bills fan).

 

[BrazilCane]

i saw him play and he is a legend. elevated the U to another level. here's a great pic of him as a kid.

View attachment 26854

Is that Terry Bradshaw next to him?

Yep. Saw this pic for the first time in a NFL network piece...

 

[rsa coral gables]

Is that Terry Bradshaw next to him?

yes that is terry bradshaw. kelly was born in pittsburgh but grew up in the small town of east brady. as a kid, he idiolized bradshaw who was playing for the steelers.

IIRC, bradshaw was speaking at a pass punt and kick event (kelly was a national finalist) and kelly went and asked for his autograph. its a fantastic photo for many reasons, not just the fact that it captures a young Kelly jubilant that bradshaw is autographing the PPK event's program. kelly is dressed in a suit and tie, a sign of respect for himself and the event. his parents taught him well. this is a tradition that has unfortunately passed . . .