James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He also played two seasons with the Houston Gamblers in the United States Football League (USFL).
Kelly was selected by the Bills in the first round of 1983 NFL Draft and was taken 14th overall. He chose to sign with the Gamblers instead and did not play for the Bills until the USFL folded in 1986. Employing the “K-Gun” offense, known for its no-huddle shotgun formations, Kelly led one of the greatest NFL scoring juggernauts. From 1990 season to the 1993 season, he helped guide the Bills to a record four consecutive Super Bowls, although the team lost each game. He was also named to five Pro Bowls and received a first-team All-Pro honors in 1991.
Along with teammates Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith, Kelly is one of only three players to have his number retired by the Bills. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Through the efforts of our annual banquet & summer golf tournament, we help fund numerous worthwhile sports organizations & charitable causes. Our primary beneficiaries are the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Special Olympics Florida- Okaloosa, Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center and Okaloosa Walton FCA.
