Jim Kelly is a former professional quarterback. He went on to play for the University of Miami, where he played an important role in helping build the program into one of the nation's best.

Kelly played in the NFL for eleven seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He also played two seasons with the Houston Gamblers in the United States Football League (USFL). One of the six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, Kelly was selected 14th overall by the Bills. Employing the "K-Gun" offense, known for its no-huddle shotgun formations, Kelly led one of the greatest NFL scoring juggernauts. From the 1990-1993 seasons, he helped guide the Bills to a record four consecutive Super Bowls appearnces. Kelly was also named to five Pro Bowls and received 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 (as of 2021).

He was inducted into the Miami of Ohio sports hall of fame in 1992. Ten years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kelly is a devout christian, esteemed business man, and a two-time cancer survivor.