HOF Quarterback Jim Kelly announces cancer has returned

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, announced on Thursday that the oral cancer that he underwent surgery for in 2013 has returned.

Kelly said in a statement released Thursday: "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 that God is with me. I continuously talk about 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 was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw in 2013 before having surgery. It then returned in 2014, and Kelly had chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Kelly is a five-time Pro Bowler and had his No. 12 jersey retired by the Buffalo Bills after leading the team to four AFC championships in his 11 seasons with the franchise — the entirety of his NFL career.

Before Kelly played for the Bills, he starred for the Houston Gamblers in the USFL for two seasons.

Jim Kelly had been cancer-free since September 2014 after beating oral cancer that was first diagnosed in 2013.

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 Mar 1, 2018 at 8:13am PST