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Jim Kelly Says He Had a Stroke This Spring But Feels Good

The Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback spent several days in the hospital after suffering the stroke.

Jim Kelly, former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
Jim Kelly, former quarterback for the Buffalo Bil…      Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills    Cmm3 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published June 24, 2026 at 1:35 AM PDT

Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly has revealed he suffered a stroke this spring, according to ESPN. Kelly said the stroke led to a hospital stay of several days, but he told reporters he currently feels "really good."

Kelly has faced serious health challenges before. He battled oral cancer multiple times over the past decade. This latest development adds to a long list of medical obstacles the quarterback has dealt with since his playing career ended.

He did not provide additional detail about when in the spring the stroke occurred or what his recovery has involved. Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Kelly's message was largely one of reassurance.

Kelly played for the Bills from 1986 to 1996 and led the team to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

1994 Jim Kelly jersey shown at Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH
1994 Jim Kelly jersey shown at Pro Football Hall …      Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills    Erik Daniel Drost / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)