As he walked across the stage at the 2018 ESPYS, Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly received a standing ovation from an emotional crowd. With his two daughters, Erin and Camryn, by his side, as well as his longtime friends Dan Marino and John Elway, Kelly uttered a familiar phrase as he graciously accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: “Make a difference today, for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow.” The message is one that Kelly, who has endured a five-year battle with cancer, has not only preached, but faithfully practiced.
“…You don’t need to be a Russell Wilson or an Aaron Rodgers to make a difference out there,” said Kelly. “Every single person out there can be a difference maker. You can be just a normal person who gets up every morning and goes to work but you can be a difference maker. Put a smile on those faces. My kids, my friends, when they came in to see me, not once did they have a frown on their face. So, I encourage everyone out there, if you have someone who is suffering, it doesn’t have to be cancer, it could be someone not having a good day, it can be your mom, your dad, it can be your grandparents. What you say to them, the smile that you have on your face, that can be a difference in them making it to the next day. Remember that.”
Known for his toughness, Kelly, who has never wavered in his pursuit to make a positive impact on those around him, draws strength from his faith, family and late son, Hunter, who lost his battle with Krabbe disease in 2005. Today, as he faces life’s challenges, he continues to inspire those around him, including his friends and former teammates, to be “Kelly Tough.”