Former Bills QB Jim Kelly Now Cancer Free

Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly announced on Monday that he is cancer free. Kelly spoke to the media on Monday from his annual youth football camp.

While the former NFL player is still sore from surgery, he was proud to say he will not have to undergo any chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Kelly added that he found out his cancer-free news last Wednesday. He explained, “From what I’ve been told, everything that they did in surgery, it I had to do radiation or chemo it would put me way back.”

The surgery removed the left side of Jim Kelly’s jaw, along with the teeth on that side of his jaw. He was released from the hospital three days later.

Kelly also explained that this cancer surgery was not like the numerous other operations he underwent during and after his football career. The former quarterback explained that it has been the most painful surgery so far, but also his most rewarding, because doctors were able to remove all of the cancer cells. Jim Kelly added:

“The worst part about my cancer is it’s right here in the area of my mouth … It’s very, very sore, but it takes time. I know when you have knee surgery or shoulder surgery it’s sore for a small period of time and rehab and everything is good and you just take your time.”

But the recovery is different this time. And there is a possibility that Jim Kelly’s cancer could return. The Hall of Famer is scheduled to return to the doctor in two months to a check up to make sure the cancer is still gone. Kelly added that he will require constant monitoring from doctors for an indefinite amount of time to make sure the cancer cells stay gone.

But for now, Jim Kelly is celebrating his cancer-free diagnosis, calling it a “big-time relief.”

[Image via Staff Sgt. Corenthia Fennell]