FORT WORTH, TX. (Missouri Sports Magazine – Davey O’Brien Foundation) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation today announced Jim Kelly as the recipient of the 2011 Davey O’Brien Legends Award, in honor of his outstanding contributions to the game of football both on and off the field. Kelly will be presented with the award at the 35th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 20, 2012 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I’m very humbled to receive the Legends Award,” said Kelly. “It’s an honor to be included among some of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.”

Established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Davey O’Brien Foundation, the Legends Award recognizes a college or professional quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader and demonstrated exemplary conduct on and off the football field. Past recipients include Bob Griese (2010), Dan Fouts (2009), Joe Theismann (2008), Steve Spurrier (2007), Paul Hornung (2006), Len Dawson (2005), Archie Manning (2004), Terry Bradshaw (2003), Bart Starr (2002) and Roger Staubach (2001). 

“We’re honored to add Jim Kelly to our esteemed group of Legends Award recipients,” said Scott Murray, Chair of the Legends Committee for the Davey O’Brien Foundation. “Not only is he a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, but he’s proven to be a committed leader off the field as well. His leadership and dedication to the game of football make him an ideal addition to the Davey O’Brien family.”

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Kelly declined a scholarship offer from Penn State to play linebacker in favor of pursuing his career as a quarterback at the University of Miami. While playing for the Hurricanes, Kelly passed for 5,233 yards and 32 touchdowns, helping Miami restore itself as a premier collegiate football program. He was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame in 1992.

Kelly was selected as the third quarterback in the 1983 National Football League (NFL) draft by the Buffalo Bills, but opted to play for the United States Football League’s (USFL) Houston Gamblers. In 1984, he was named USFL Player of the Year after passing for a league-record 5,219 yards and 44 touchdowns. Kelly began his career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills in 1986 after the USFL disbanded.

Revered for quarterbacking one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, the standout signal caller amassed 35,467 passing yards and 237 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Bills. Kelly, who perfected the no-huddle offense during his tenure in Buffalo, passed for more than 3,000 yards in eight different seasons, was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and guided the Bills to eight post-season appearances and an unrivaled four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, his first year of eligibility.  

After retiring from the NFL in 1997, Kelly began his career in broadcast as an NFL Game Analyst for both NBC Sports and ESPN. He also runs an annual football camp for kids and serves as CEO of Jim Kelly Inc., which handles all of his business and marketing operations.       

Kelly has also devoted much of his post-football life to his son, Hunter, who was diagnosed with Krabbe disease (Globoid-cell Leukodystrophy) and passed away on August 5, 2005 at the age of eight. Kelly and his wife, Jill, established an organization called Hunter’s Hope, to raise funds to fight the disease. Additionally, Kelly supports disadvantaged and disabled youth in Western New York via the Kelly for Kids Foundation. 

Jim lives in upstate New York with Jill and their two daughters, Erin and Camryn. 

About the Davey O’Brien Legends Award

Founded in 1977, the Davey O’Brien Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Davey O’Brien Legends Award was established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Foundation and to pay tribute to Davey O’Brien. The Legends Award recognizes a college or professional quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader and demonstrated exemplary conduct on and off the football field.

About The Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation (the Foundation) was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through national awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $825,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life.

ESPN in their Yards To Glory Series counts down the top college plays in the history of NCAAF. Obviously there are quite a few proCanes involved!

25. Kelly's Throws
Jim Kelly helps upset Penn State in first start
Nov. 3, 1979: After a 3-4 start, Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger made a desperate move, giving freshman quarterback Jim Kelly his first college start at Penn State. Kelly, who was recruited by the Nittany Lions as a linebacker, didn't find out he was starting until moments before the game. He responded by throwing up in the locker room. Kelly also threw a 25-yard touchdown to Jim Joiner in the third quarter, helping the Hurricanes upset the No. 19 Nittany Lions 26-10.

31. Hurricane Willis
Willis McGahee scores school record sixth touchdown
Dec. 7, 2002: With Miami comfortably ahead of Virginia Tech 42-21 in the third quarter, running back Willis McGahee made Hurricanes history when he sprinted into the end zone from 31 yards out to score his sixth touchdown of the day, breaking the school record for total touchdowns scored in a game. McGahee didn't have to do much on the play. He simply bolted through the middle, made a slight cut to the right and jogged in to make it 49-21.

42. Leonard Part 2
Leonard Conley runs Miami past Nebraska in Orange Bowl
Jan. 2, 1989: Miami's diminutive Leonard Conley stood tall in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, scoring both of the Hurricanes' touchdowns in a 23-3 win. The second score stood out, as he caught a Steve Walsh pass in the flat, juked Nebraska's Lorenzo Hicks and scooted down the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown. Miami receiver Dale Dawkins spurred Conley with a crushing downfield block. The catch marked Conley's longest in college as Miami handed Nebraska its first loss of the season.

73. Raising Cane
Michael Irvin's catch-and-run buries FSU
Oct. 3, 1987: In a game that featured two unbeaten in-state rivals, Miami trailed Florida State 19-3 late in the third quarter when Miami quarterback Steve Walsh almost single-handedly changed the game. He threw three touchdown passes in the final 16 minutes, including a 73-yarder to Michael Irvin that gave the Canes a 26-19 lead with 2:22 remaining. Walsh threw the ball into double coverage, but Irvin made the catch and helped preserve a 26-25 win en route to a national title.

80. Reed And React
Ed Reed helps save Miami's title hopes
Nov. 10, 2001: Miami's national championship hopes were on the line when a late defensive stand saved the Canes. Boston College moved to the Miami 9 in the final minute of the game. But Mike Rumph deflected a Brian St. Pierre pass to tackle Matt Walters, who started running downfield. Ed Reed took the ball from him and scored an 80-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left to give Miami an 18-7 win. Miami ended up winning the national title.