Jim Kelly announces his oral cancer has returned

Sad news from an NFL legend: Jim Kelly has announced that his oral cancer has returned.

A statement attributed to Kelly reads:

“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 Fs. 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 will begin undergoing treatment once again; he was previously told he was cancer-free in 2014.

One of his daughters, Erin Kelly-Bean, posted the news on Instagram. Next to a photo of her kissing her father on the head, she wrote in part, “Words feel inadequate. Truthfully, it’s hard to even comprehend that I’m writing this…My dad’s cancer is back.”

Kelly’s wife, Jill, also took to Instagram to share some of her thoughts.

“The cancer is back,” her caption begins. “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 Bills also released a statement in support of Kelly, one of only two players in franchise history with his number retired.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Jim Kelly and his impending battle with cancer. Jim is a tough and courageous man and we know he will fight this battle with strength and determination. The Buffalo Bills will support the Kelly family during this trying time and we as our fans to pray for the family as Jim begins the treatment process and the road to recovery.”

Just a few weeks ago, Kelly-Bean posted that her father had his gallbladder removed – just a day after her mother, Jill, had been hospitalized for pneumonia. It is unclear what led to Jim Kelly’s surgery.

The 58-year-old Kelly, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2013.