Bills legend Jim Kelly and his family are asking fans for prayers amid heartbreaking news about the health of Kelly’s newborn grandson.
The quarterback’s grandson, who was born last week, is dealing with “unexpected medical conditions,” according to a Bills statement from last Thursday.
On Monday, Kelly, 65, reposted the statement on Instagram, writing as part of a lengthy caption: “We never imagined we would be here in this place of heartbreak and suffering again. Please pray for our daughter Erin, her husband Parker, and their precious newborn baby boy.”
The news comes 20 years after Kelly’s son, Hunter, died at age 8 in August 2005 after being diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy.
Hunter’s condition and tragic death inspired Kelly and his wife, Jill, to launch a foundation, Hunter’s Hope, that researches treatments for Krabbe Leukodystrophy and broadens public awareness about the disease.
“We’ve felt your support and prayers through some of the darkest days of our lives — and we’ll never be able to thank you enough,” Kelly added in his post. “Your kindness towards our family and your prayers have reminded us that we’re not alone…Well, we need your prayers again.”
Kelly’s post included photos of two bible verses: Isaiah 46:4, which reads, “I have made you. I will carry you, I will sustain you and I will rescue you,” and Isaiah 43:2, which says, “When you go through deep waters I will be with you.”
The post elicited an outpouring of support from Bills Mafia and the NFL world as a whole, including comments from fellow Buffalo legend Thurman Thomas, former Bills receiver David Nelson and former Bills nose tackle Harrison Phillips.
Kelly, a Hall of Famer, played all 11 of his NFL seasons in Buffalo. He’s best known for leading the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, from 1991-94.
“Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for praying,” Kelly’s post added. “We need it more than ever.”
English (US) ·