Simply heartbreaking.
In a sad turn of events, Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly announced that the oral cancer that almost took his life a few years ago has returned.
Here's the statement, released by Kelly:
The oral cancer we hoped would be gone forever has returned. Although I was shocked and deeply saddened to receive this news, I know that God is with me. I continuously talk about the four F's: Faith, Family, Friends and Fans. With all of you by my side, we will fight and win this battle together. Staying “Kelly Tough” and trusting God will carry us through this difficult time.
Even though Kelly is facing a tough road ahead, his family are keeping their spirits high and their faith strong.
Kelly's wife, Jill, posted the following to Instagram on Thursday:
Here's her full statement:
The cancer is back.
We are shocked, heartbroken, sad, angry, confused, and just darn tired. Yet, despite how we feel, we KNOW that God is a promise maker and keeper.
He is who He says He is!
He can do what He says He can do!
We don’t have to understand His ways to trust His heart.
The battle is HIS. (Exodus 14:14)
We need you...
In addition to our faith, family, and friends...we really need you and your prayer warrior friends to pray. We’re all in this together. THANK YOU!
The more life and heartbreak I experience, the more I realize that this is not the end of the story.
Life is temporary. And short.
But eternity...is FOREVER.
Because we know that our eternity is secure in Christ, we can trust God with every breath upon this earth.
The Buffalo Bills also released a statement on their Twitter page:
Kelly, 58, had been cancer-free for four years following his initial bout with cancer. Kelly has had a rough post-NFL life.
Before being initially diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013, Kelly and his wife Jill lost their son Hunter in 2005 after a lifelong battle with the ultra-rare Krabbe disease. Kelly and his family have kept their spirits up through it all.
Through the years Kelly has set up two charities over the years. Hunter's Hope was set up shortly after the Kelly's son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe disease and "provides hope to suffering children and their families" while dealing with devastating diseases. Kelly also set up the Kelly for Kids Foundation upon first arriving in Buffalo in 1986. The charity "is committed to serving disadvantaged and disabled youth in Western New York through the distribution of grant money raised throughout the year."
God bless you, Kelly family. Our prayers are with you.