Former Buffalo Bills star quarterback Jim Kelly recently told reporters that he was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in the spring.
During the ribbon-cutting event for the new Bills’ stadium on June 23, 2026, the Pro Football Hall of Famer said, “I had a little setback about a month and a half ago. But right now, I feel good. Eyesight’s not great. My hearing still sucks, but that’s part of life.” The announcement from Kelly came during a joyous public milestone: the inauguration of the Bills’ new $1.7 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Kelly was hospitalized for a few days following the stroke, which was his first big setback in eight years of being cancer-free. Despite persistent hearing and visual problems, he shared that his post-stroke scans came back clean. He said, “It’s part of getting old. But I feel really good. Everything [scans] is good, all good.” Kelly added, “It’s been about a month and a half since my setback, but I feel pretty good.“
The stroke came eight years after a protracted struggle with cancer, as the 66-year-old had been diagnosed four times. He had a series of chemotherapy and surgeries in 2013, 2014, and 2018 due to various forms of cancer.
In 2013, Kelly was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw, which necessitated surgery to remove the tumor. Sadly, his cancer came back in March 2014, spreading along facial nerves near Kelly’s brain.
Then, in September 2014, Kelly was pronounced cancer-free following radiation and chemotherapy. A third diagnosis in 2018 necessitated a 12-hour surgery to repair his upper jaw with femoral bone, followed by radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
Looking Ahead: Jim Kelly’s Optimism For The Bills And His Grandson
Kelly was the Bills’ shot caller from 1986 to 1996 and is now regarded as one of the team’s most iconic personalities. He guided Buffalo to four straight Super Bowl appearances [1991-1994], the longest streak in NFL history. He was also inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2002, solidifying his place among the game’s all-time greats.
Kelly attended the Highmark Stadium celebration alongside fellow Bills veteran Thurman Thomas on Tuesday, showcasing the strong connection that exists between era-defining players. He tapped into his grandson as a personal motivator, hoping to enjoy games at Highmark Stadium together for many years to come. “I pray to the good Lord that it gives me some extra years that I’ll be able to enjoy a football game right here in Highmark Stadium with my grandson,” Kelly stated.
Kelly said that he wants to go as a “regular fan,” excited to experience the new stadium’s vibe from the stands. He also discussed what it will be like to watch the Bills hit the field in the new stadium, particularly with fans inside. He said, “It’s gonna be special, not only for the players, but imagine the fans in there and how crazy and wild and loud they’re gonna be. 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.”
The former quarterback recalled how crowd noise garnered penalties during his playing days, and was confident that the new stadium’s acoustics would offer the Bills a significant home-field edge. “I mean, you guys remember back in my day, if the crowd got too loud, they, they [sic] stopped the game, and they give [sic] you a penalty if you did it more than once or twice. So this is going to be a big, big advantage for us,” he quipped.
The NFL legend also said that he has already been inside the new facility numerous times and is thoroughly impressed. Kelly noted, “I’m pumped. I can’t wait for opening day. I’m going to enjoy [it] just like being a regular fan and see what happens.“