FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 18, 2002

 

JIM KELLY PRESENTS MEMENTOS TO HALL OF FAME

 

CANTON, OHIO – Class of 2002 enshrinee Jim Kelly presented the Pro Football Hall of Fame with more than one dozen mementos from his football career during a press conference held in the museum’s NFL Films Theater on Monday afternoon. 

The collection – an impressive array of items ranging from his high school days through his 11 seasons as quarterback of the Buffalo Bills – is the largest single presentation of mementos by one member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"The Pro Football Hall of Fame is what it's all about - the ultimate," commented the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

Kelly, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 3, spoke to a packed house of nearly 400 people at the weekly Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club held at a nearby restaurant. He then greeted media back at the Hall of Fame where he described some memorable moments that were marked by the mementos.

There were two pieces from what Kelly described as perhaps his greatest game as a Buffalo Bills player - the 51-3 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1990 AFC Championship Game that earned the Bills their first trip to the Super Bowl.  Kelly presented the offensive game plan from that game, along with the game ball he was awarded.

The Hall of Fame also received several artifacts from Kelly's days with the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League. "I learned about the passing game in the USFL," Kelly stated when reflecting on the game worn jersey and helmet from his two seasons with the Gamblers.

"This is an amazing building. It wasn't tough giving them up just knowing where it's going." Kelly conveyed when asked about how difficult it was for him to part with so many special mementos. "They'll be in good hands."

 

List of Items Presented by Jim Kelly to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

·        Game worn USFL Houston Gamblers jersey

·        Game worn East Brady Bulldogs #11 jersey

·        Game worn Houston Gamblers helmet

·        1984 USFL MVP Award

·        1990 AFC Player of the Year (Timmie Award)

·        Game ball awarded to Kelly for 574-yard performance in Houston Gamblers 34-33 victory over Los Angeles, 
   2-24-85

·        Game worn Buffalo Bills helmet

·        1993 game worn Buffalo Bills jersey

·        Game worn shoulder pads

·        Apex football spikes worn by Kelly in Super Bowl XXVII

·        USFL game ball awarded to Kelly for 1984 season in which he passed for 5,219, 44 TDs, and nine
  300-yard passing games

·        NFL game ball awarded to Kelly after 51-3 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders in 1990 AFC Championship
   Game

·        Game ball used during Super Bowl XXVIII versus the Dallas Cowboys

·        Buffalo Bills game plan and itinerary for Super Bowl XXV versus the New York Giants

·        Buffalo Bills game plan and itinerary for Super Bowl XXVIII versus the Dallas Cowboys

·        Buffalo Bills game plan for the 1990 AFC Championship Game versus the Los Angeles Raiders

·        Buffalo Bills safety Mark Kelso’s protective helmet.