Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly was asked about his cancer battle and he said the only reason he is still here is because of his faith in God.
“But after a while, even when you’re strong like that you sometimes look and wonder why all this continues to happen. To be honest with you, I know why. I’ve been through a lot, but faith is my number one,” the 58-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback explained Monday.
Jim Kelly was asked what he’s learned about himself from his most recent battle with his cancer.
His answer is great.#KellyTough #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rp4KGM1xGO
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) June 4, 2018
“And I know why I’m still here,” he added. “I know why I am going through it to be able to tell people out there going through similar things never to give up. I was just told about a week and a half ago that I’m receiving an ESPY Award for the Jimmy V Award [at the 2018 ESPY Awards next month].
“And to me people are saying ‘that’s awesome. ‘ Yeah, it’s awesome,” he continued. “But I just know in my heart that the good Lord has put me in a situation to be able not only help people suffering from this but little kids going through tough times, to never give up. Keep fighting cause you never know.”
The annual award is typically given to “a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.”
The NFL legend was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013. In 2016, a biopsy showed he was totally cancer free. The term #KellyTough caught on in social media in 2014 as a way for fans and members of the league to show their support as the Bills player was battling cancer.
Football is family. #KellyTough pic.twitter.com/ymZ08rmmRg
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) March 1, 2018