Jim Kelly

Keynote speaker Jim Kelly is considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the history of the National Football League. He led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in 1991 ‘92, ‘93 and 1994. In 2002, Jim Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Nicknamed “Machine-Gun Kelly”, speaker Jim Kelly was perhaps best known for running the Bills’ “No-Huddle Offense”, which was fast-paced and denied opposing defenses the opportunity to make timely substitutions, establishing the Buffalo Bills as one of the NFL’s most successful and dangerous offenses.

Although Jim Kelly led the Buffalo Bills, to a record-setting four consecutive Super Bowls, he never won the NFL’s championship game. Kelly’s standing in the eyes of his colleagues and fans, however, was never affected by his failure to win the big game. His record both on the field and off, is universally respected.

Jim Kelly has devoted much of his post-football life to his son, Hunter, who was diagnosed with Krabbe disease (Globoid-cell Leukodystrophy) and passed away on August 5, 2005 at the age of eight. Jim Kelly established an organization called Hunter’s Hope, to raise funds to fight the disease. His advocacy on behalf on Krabbe patients has vastly increased national awareness of the disease. Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, founded the annual “Hunter’s Day of Hope”, which is held every year on February 14, the birthday of both Jim and Hunter Kelly.

Youth, Sports

Leadership

 Inspiration

Teamwork

Overcoming Adversity

Being a Parent of a Special Needs Child