Jim Kelly

The architect of the K-Gun offense who led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls.

Jim Kelly is an American former professional quarterback who defined the Buffalo Bills franchise for over a decade. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in East Brady, Pennsylvania, he was selected 14th overall by the Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft but initially chose to play for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. After two seasons leading the Gamblers' high-powered offense, Kelly joined Buffalo in 1986. He immediately helped guide the team to a record four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993, earning five Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors in 1991.

Quick Facts

Position: Quarterback
Born: 14 February 1960
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
High school: East Brady (East Brady, Pennsylvania)
College: Miami (FL) (1978–1982)
Draftyear: 1983
Draftround: 1
Draftpick: 14

Lore & Background

Kelly's journey began with a dramatic twist after the 1983 draft. Although selected by the Bills, he refused to sign until a USFL contract was secured, famously telling his agent, "You have to say those things... I cried. (Laughs) I didn't really literally cry. I just had tears." He spent two seasons with the Houston Gamblers in the climate-controlled Astrodome, throwing for 9,842 yards and 83 touchdowns. In a legendary USFL matchup against Steve Young's Los Angeles Express on February 24, 1985, Kelly threw for a pro football record 574 yards to secure a 34–33 comeback victory in a game Sports Illustrated called "the greatest game no one saw." When the league folded, he finally joined Buffalo in 1986. There, he ran the "K-Gun" offense, a fast-paced system named after his own initials that denied defenses time to substitute. This approach fueled one of the NFL's greatest scoring juggernauts, leading the Bills to four straight Super Bowl losses while earning him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Reader's Guide

To understand Jim Kelly's impact, look at his connection with wide receiver Andre Reed; together they connected for 65 touchdowns, trailing only a handful of legendary NFL tandems. Kelly was one of six first-round quarterbacks taken in 1983 and is one of only three players, alongside Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith, to have their numbers retired by the Bills. His college career at Miami began under Lou Saban, who promised him the quarterback spot before leaving; head coach Howard Schnellenberger then led Kelly to earn offensive MVP honors in the 1981 Peach Bowl. In high school, Kelly was a dual-sport star, passing for 3,915 yards and 44 touchdowns while also averaging 23 points and 20 rebounds per game in basketball as a senior. His professional legacy is cemented by his role in the "Four Falls of Buffalo," a 30 for 30 documentary covering his four Super Bowl losses with teammates Reed, Smith, Thomas, and kicker Scott Norwood.

Did You Know?

Kelly and Andre Reed connected for 64 regular season touchdowns during their careers together, ranking among the top QB-receiver tandems in NFL history.
He is one of only four players to have his number officially retired by the Buffalo Bills; joining O.J.