Jim Kelly
Pro Football Hall of Famer & Entrepreneur
Miami Connection
Jim Kelly kickstarted the University of Miami's football renaissance, turning a struggling program into 'Quarterback U' with iconic wins like the 1979 Penn State upset and 1981 Orange Bowl victory, setting the stage for national championships in the 1980s. His leadership under Howard Schnellenberger rescued UM athletics from near abandonment, as noted by coach Art Kehoe, establishing a legacy of excellence that elevated Miami's prominence in South Florida sports culture. Inductions into UM's Hall of Fame (1992) and Ring of Honor (2008) underscore his enduring influence on the community.
About
Born in Pittsburgh and raised in East Brady, Pennsylvania, Jim Kelly starred as quarterback for the University of Miami Hurricanes from 1979-1982, rewriting record books with 5,233 passing yards and 32 touchdowns despite injuries. His Miami connection began when he chose UM over Penn State, leading pivotal upsets over top-ranked Penn State in 1979 and 1981, and earning MVP in the 1981 Peach Bowl, helping revive the program under coach Howard Schnellenberger. After college, he excelled with the USFL's Houston Gamblers, then joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986, leading them to four straight Super Bowls and earning five Pro Bowl nods. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, he now focuses on business ventures supporting his Hunter's Hope Foundation charity. Kelly resides primarily in Western New York but maintains strong ties to Miami through his foundational role in UM football.