Bills legend Jim Kelly to be honored with Jimmy V Award for Perseverance
Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2018 ESPYs.
The Jimmy V Award is given each year to “a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination,” according to a news release.
Will become official later today: The Jimmy V award at the ESPYS on July will be given to Hall-of-Fame QB Jim Kelly.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 4, 2018
It is named after North Carolina State basketball coaching legend Jimmy Valvano, who inspired millions with his brave battle against cancer, which took his life in 1993 at the age of 47, according to Bleacher Report.
Kelly, the former Bills quarterback, has also inspired millions with his heroic battle against oral cancer.
Kelly has fought oral cancer since 2013, when doctors removed squamous cell carcinoma from his mouth. He had a recurrence of the cancer this year.
In March, Kelly had cancer removed from his upper jaw and lymph nodes, and then had his jaw restructured. It was his third cancer surgery in five years.
Since being released from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and returning home in April, Kelly has made a strong recovery.
Jim’s wife Jill provided an update on his progress two weeks ago on Instagram.
“Went to NYC yesterday for a checkup and moving forward, strategy meeting. The doctors were very impressed with how much Jim has healed since he’s been home. Praise God!” Jill wrote.
“The plan at this point is that he will have surgery in mid-June to lesson the ‘skin flap’ bulk in his mouth, as well as put implants into his upper jaw. And then there will be more healing and waiting and then another surgery and possibly upper teeth sometime in September,” she wrote.
“All of this of course is wrapped up in the perfect plan and purposes of God…who knows all, is sovereign over all, and graciously orchestrates the details of our lives, holding everything together, and working everything together for good. None of us know what tomorrow holds…but we can choose to trust the ONE who holds tomorrow. Thank you for loving us and praying us through all of this,” Jill added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi5E-a1Aq3X/?utm_source=ig_embed
Meanwhile, Jim Kelly was set to host his charity golf tournament this week, the 32nd Annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic golf tournament at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia, New York.
“Buffalo, New York, you have the biggest hearts in the world,” Kelly said Monday morning. “I love you. I continue to love you each and every year, and I hope as my brother Danny said last night, I hope we are able to do this 40, and maybe 50 years. God willing we can do it, and again thank you and enjoy yourself and God bless.”
See Jim Kelly's opening remarks to players, sponsors, celebrities, and media prior to his Celebrity Golf Tournament: https://t.co/j7ye8q5svQ
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 4, 2018
How’s this for a drive?
Jim Kelly ripped a few drives to start his golf tournament pic.twitter.com/6LPtwEW0Ir
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) June 4, 2018
Proceeds from Kelly’s golf tournament go to his Kelly for Kids Foundation for disabled and disadvantaged children.
Kelly also announced before the event he had just received word from ESPN that he will receive the Jimmy V Award, according to WGRZ-TV in Buffalo.
“God willing I’ll be there,” Kelly told reporters at the golf tournament.
Jim Kelly: “I just got a call notifying me that I will be honored with the Jimmy V award at the @ESPYS on July 11.” #KellyTough pic.twitter.com/mczUns172Y
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 4, 2018
The ESPYs air July 18 on ESPN. Past Jimmy V winners include ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, NBA coach George Karl and NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow.
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