Jim Kelly's Message to You!
Last weekend I attended the Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Tournament. It was the 29th year of this event - and this year it was really special. It was a bonding experience!
Jim Kelly was healthy as a horse and back in action. At the Gala, last Sunday night, I was talking to my wife Joyce when suddenly I got bumped - pretty hard - by none other than the man himself. [Remember, Penn State wanted him to go there and play linebacker]. Fortunately, Jim made a wise choice and attended Miami and played QB……..the rest is history.
Before I get to Jim's message, here's the back story on how I met him.
Jim’s brothers, Pat Kelly and Ray Kelly took a different route than Jim – they played the Linebacker position at the University of Richmond.
I was recruited by Richmond and when I made my visit to the campus, Pat Kelly - who was in his senior year - was the guy that took me around the campus to show me a good time and convince me to come to UR. The day was rather boring - checking out all the facilities and meeting the coaches – but the night was a different story. I learned that the Kelly’s – in addition to playing football like an opponent just hit their mother with a 2 x 4 - also liked to have some fun when the cheering stopped.
That evening, Pat took me to an area of Richmond known as the “Shockoe Slip”
For the record, we didn’t just slip, we slided all throughout the entertainment district. I saw the sun come up before I got back to the campus and signed my “Letter of Intent” to play for Richmond. I never did thank Pat Kelly for helping me make one of the best decisions of my life. Thanks Pat!
Pat’s younger brother, Ray Kelly followed in his footsteps and for the next four years we both wore the red, white and blue uniform of the Spiders.
Ray was even wilder and crazier than Pat – and that’s a compliment. He knew how to party – and still does, but when Saturday came rolling around and we put on the pads, Ray went into beast mode. He was like a stick of dynamite with a short fuse. You didn’t want to be in his vicinity when he exploded into a running back, or you might become collateral damage. I don’t think I ever saw Ray leave the field without blood pouring out of some cut on his body. Needless to say, I learned a lot about “Kelly Tough” from Ray Kelly.
In 1979, I graduated from Richmond and went on to wear the red, white and blue of the Buffalo Bills, but as fate would have it, I would eventually cross paths with Pat and Ray’s brother – Jim Kelly, the one I had heard so much about during his days in Miami. It’s interesting to know that before the draft they asked Jim where he would not want to play. Buffalo was on his list. When I was asked the same question by the Richmond Times Dispatch I had the exact same answer. Now we both call Western New York our home!
The Bills drafted Kelly in 1983 and when he came to visit Buffalo, the Bills brass gave me the job of showing him a good time and convincing him he should join the Bills. I took Jim to all the popular night spots, Mickey Rats, Mulligans, Brick Bar and the Pierce Arrow and of course - we saw the sun come up.
Before I left Jim at McKinley Park Inn that morning, I asked him what he thought about the prospect of playing for the Bills. He told me that Bruce Allen had talked to him about joining the USFL - and they were offering him a lot more money than the Bills. Talk about Bad Karma – Bruce Allen played for the Richmond Spiders during the same time me and Ray Kelly were there – and now he was luring Jim away from the Bills with the promise of more money and other perks. The last thing I said to Jim before I went home and passed out on my bed was “You can always come back to the Bills if things don’t work out in the USFL.” The League folded after only three seasons and we all know how the rest of that story goes……… 11 years with Bills......and Jim Kelly in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After retiring, Jim built a beautiful home on a large piece of property near Ellicotville, NY. Every year, Jim has what is known as a “Work Day” where he invites current and former players and friends (men only) to come out and help him clear the tree limbs and brush that have accumulated over the winter. In return, he feeds us and treats us like Kings and he lets us party 'till the sun comes up. Actually, I'm too old for that......but I still give it that old college try.
The first time I found out that Jim was having health problems, I arrived at his home for the Work Day and he rolled up on me and pulled out the “false” teeth he was wearing due to a recent surgery. I was horrified, but he just played it off as no big deal, just another hurdle to jump over. When he held his Celebrity Golf Tournament later that summer, he announced to our shock and disbelief that he was battling cancer.
It's amazing to think about what Jim has been through. Around this time last year, he was just finishing his chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Not long after that, the doctors said he was cancer free. That’s Kelly Tough!
Jim has a great message that he shares with everyone that is willing to listen: When a freind or family member is sick and struggling with ther pain and their doubts about recovering and getting healthy, go to them with a smile on your face - and words of encouragement. Make them laugh and most of all........give them a message of Hope and Love.
It's impossible to understand the mind of God....and why some people die and others live. But, he does have a plan for our lives. God is the ultimate coach and Jim is now playing QB on his team - and he has a great partner in his wife Jill Kelly. God uses people like Jim to share his message of hope and redemption........and bringing aid to those who are less fortunate.
We can all learn something from his example.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Listen to and watch Jim Kelly's Message
Here are a few photos from the Gala and the Golf.......
This picture was taken at the Gala - right after Jim did his "bump and run" on me. He should have been a defensive back!
Yes....that's me and Ray Kelly having some fun!
Andre Reed addressing the ball.........and wearing a balloon hat and smoking a cigar. Now that is one serious golfer!
Jim Kelly and Dan Marino are enjoying the "air conditioning" that Jim said he brought in for all his southern friends. It was 50 degrees, windy with a light drizzle. That's ok - A bad day on the Golf course is still better than a good day at the office.
Fred Jackson........He's still number 1 in my book!
Rex Ryan and the active players came to show their support.
Hall of Famer John Randle with his golfing team "Purple Hayes". I could have sworn I saw a few of them trying to kiss the sky later in the day.
My wife, Joyce Nixon with Bruce Smith and Daryl Talley.
Ickey Woods hit the ball 200 yards.......straight up in the air! He did the Ickey Shuffle and we chanted get your cold cuts, get your cold cuts!
Here's one last video that kind of sums up the kind of fun the Kelly brothers like to have
From left to right Dan, Pat, Jim, Joe, Kevin and Ed. Ray couldn't make it to the picture taking. He injured himself falling off the wagon! Just kidding of course.
