NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly had been undergoing treatment for squamous cell carcinoma or oral cancer in his jaw and had been cancer free for the past couple years. Sadly, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback revealed that his cancer has returned.

In a statement, Kelly said the following:

“As our family has faced many trials and triumphs throughout the years, you have blessed us with your prayers. We are asking for those prayers once again. The oral cancer we hoped would be gone forever has returned. Although I was shocked and deeply saddened to receive this news, I know God is with me. I continuously talk with 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.”

Kelly’s wife, Jill, posted on Instagram that her husband’s cancer has returned and asked the public for their prayers as Jim undergoes treatment once again.

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.

A post shared by Jill Kelly (@jillmkelly) on

The Bills also put out a statement:

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Jim Kelly and his impending battle with cancer. Jim is a tough and courageous man and we know he will fight this battle with strength and determination. The Buffalo Bills will support the Kelly family during this trying time and we ask our fans to pray for the family as Jim begins the treatment process and the road to recovery.”

As someone who has family members who have had cancer, been in remission and have had it return, it’s definitely a roller coaster of experiences to handle. Even in remission, you know that cancer can and likely does, come back at some point and it’s likely to be the case for the rest of your life. It sucks, and it’s something you never even want to wish on your worst enemy, but it’s something that can be beaten. And hopefully that’s the case here with Jim and the Kelly family.

[The Buffalo News]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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