Important Dates in Bills History, presented by M&T Bank, helps fans recognize what's important. In the NFL, the foundation of any franchise starts with its signal caller. On August 18, 1986, the Bills solidified the QB position by signing Jim Kelly to a multi-year contract. Jim Kelly began his first of eleven seasons in the NFL, the entirety of which were spent with the Buffalo Bills.
During his tenure with the Bills, Jim Kelly was selected to four pro bowls, led the Bills to four straight super bowls, and passed for more than 3,000 yards eight times throughout his career. Only three quarterbacks reached the 30,000-yard career passing before Kelly. In 2002, Kelly made his way to Canton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement, Kelly continues to be dedicated to the team and the city of Buffalo. In addition to hosting his annual youth football camp, Kelly founded the Hunter's Hope Foundation in 1997 to address the acute need for information and research with respect to Krabbe Disease and related Leukodystrophies.
Kelly's legacy was solidified in Bills history with the retirement of his No. 12.
