WHERE ARE U NOW?

Hey, my nickname is Lyquid Enigma and I will be hosting the most interesting page at Canespace called: "Where Are U Now."  This page is dedicated to catching up with Hurricane greats of the past and finding out what they are up to now, where they live, what they do and what their best Canes memories are.  We hope to bring you some exciting and revealing stories along the way of those crazy and captivating Hurricanes of the past! 

We will start our series with stories and interviews the quarterbacks that built the strong tradition of QB U from Kelly to Kosar, Walsh to Erickson, and to Heisman winners Testaverde and Torretta.  We will seek out some of the lesser knowns too because some inquiring minds may even wonder where Frank Costa is these days? 

The next series will be focused on seeking out players and coaches of the famed 1983 championship team.  We have big, I mean really BIG plans after that too.  So join us on our journey through the years as we seek to answer that all elusive question: "Where Are U Now?"

WHERE ARE U NOW...

Jim Kelly: The First Star QB at Quarterback U

Born James Edward Kelly on February 14, 1960 in Pittsburgh, PA, he is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and possibly the best quarterback to take snaps in the brief history of the USFL. 

Kelly grew up in the small Pennsylvania town of East Brady, Pennsylvania (about 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh). Kelly was drafted by the Buffalo Bills (Which he turned down) out of the University of Miami, where he was preceded by quarterback Wendell Lee. Kelly played an important role in helping build the University of Miami into one of the nation's premier collegiate football programs. As well as being the “first” quarterback to star at the famed “Quarterback U.”

As good a quarterback statistically as Jim Kelly was at the University Of Miami, one could echo the words of Buffalo columnist Larry Felser when he described the NFL Hall of Famer's pro career with the Bills because the same description of Kelly's character could be applied to his Hurricane playing career. The summary stated that “Kelly is not about statistics, never was. Jim Kelly was about leadership, true grit, toughness, unlikely comebacks and an ability to convince his teammates that they could win games against formidable odds. His statistics were impressive, but his intangibles are the jewel of his résumé." It was that toughness that led Joe Paterno to recruit Kelly to Penn State as a linebacker, which drove the young man to his decision to attend The U so he could play quarterback. This toughness is also what made his teammates follow him into the trenches with the belief that the resurgent 'Canes could beat “anyone.”

Rather than play linebacker, Kelly decided he wanted to be the best quarterback ever; and thus ran home at lunchtime during his high school years so that he could practice his footwork, drop-backs, and rollouts. This dedication made him a star at East Brady, PA High School where he followed the career of his older brother Pat who was a LB with the Birmingham Americans of the WFL in 1974 after being a 15th round draft choice of the Colts upon the completion of his playing career at Richmond University. It appeared that the two-way all-star was also destined for a line-backing career as Penn State (Who by the way was Kelly’s first victory as a starter. An upset against a then #1 ranked Penn State) and others coveted him at that position, viewing the 6'3", 215 pound Pennsylvania roughneck as a potential defensive star. Being a versatile athlete, Kelly was also a leader on the hard-court where he helped East Brady High School to the basketball state semifinals as a senior and averaged 23 points and 20 rebounds.

There was however, one coach who had a different plan for Kelly. Howard Schnellenberger saw Kelly's QUARTERBACK ability and promised him a chance on offense and as is often said, "The rest is Cane history." Kelly's statistics were gaudy to say the least: a 9-3 record, 1519 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, a total offensive team performance for a record setting 3756 yards as a sophomore followed by a jump to 2403 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior year, again leading the team to nine victories. Kelly was derailed by a severe shoulder injury as a senior, costing him a possible Heisman Trophy. However, he defied predictions…rehabilitated with the same dedication and zeal that he showed as a budding high school quarterback, double-timing the required effort to become the first round choice of the 1983 Buffalo Bills. Spurning the Bills, Kelly opted for a then unheard of guaranteed $3 million contract with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

Through a brief stint with the Gamblers, Kelly still manage to keep the gaudy numbers that he managed to accumulate while at the U. Kelly threw for a career total of 9842 yards, an astounding 83 Touchdowns, and maintained a 62% completion average. He also had sixteen 300-yard passing games, three 400-yard passing games, and one stellar 574 yard performance.  He was named the 1984 USFL “Player of the Year,” set a USFL record in 1984 with 5,219 passing yards and 44 touchdowns, and was twice named “All-USFL.” All this was completed in only two seasons due to the demise of the league, which sparked his entry into the NFL as the Buffalo Bills” quarterback in 1986.

Now in the NFL Kelly’s abilities were able to shine to their brightest. One may thought that the large numbers would have died with the USFL, but they would be highly mistaken. While with the Bills he is both the All-Time Passing Attempts leader with 4,779 and Pass Completions leader with 2,874; which also makes him the All-Time Passing Percentage leader with 60.14%. He is still the Bills’ All-Time yards passing leader with 35,467. Kelly managed to have 26 300-yard passing games, was the All-Time consecutive games with at least one TD pass with 18 (11/2/86 at Tampa Bay to 12/14/87 at Indianapolis). He also maintained the lowest INT percentage, second only to Frank Reich (3.18%) with 3.66%. To cap off his accomplishments in the NFL, his toughness showed with him being the eight in team history with 177 games played. His eight 3000-plus yard seasons, five Pro Bowl appearances, eight playoff entries in eleven years, and four consecutive Super Bowls made him an absolute lock for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1990.

As he did at Miami, he put the team he led on the map, and in the forefront of every race they were in. His force of will, absolute refusal to accept defeat, and ability to elevate his teammates to heights not reached before made him the “QUARTERBACK” that transformed the University Of Miami football program into the perennial national contender they became from the moment he took the helm of the program. In 1992 Kelly was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame.

Jim Kelly is more than the fantastic quarterback and football player. Off the field, Kelly devoted much of his post-football life to his son Hunter, who was diagnosed with Globoid-Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbes disease) shortly after his birth on February 14, 1997. Hunter died as a result of this disease on August 5, 2005 at the age of eight. To honor his son, Kelly established a non-profit organization in 1997 (Hunter's Hope). Kelly's advocacy on behalf of Krabbes' patients has increased national awareness of the disease.   

Kelly continues to reside in Orchard Park, New York, with his wife and children. When Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, he dedicated his speech to his son Hunter. "It's been written that the trademark of my career was toughness," said Kelly, as he choked back tears. "The toughest person I ever met in my life was my son, my hero, Hunter. I love you, buddy." Nuff said…

Compiled by

Anthony Mathis (LyquidEnigma)