You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the whispers and wondered. It's one of those things that keeps popping up in sports bars and Google searches alike. Did the legendary Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly die of cancer?
The short answer is no. Jim Kelly, the Hall of Fame gunslinger who led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls, is still with us. He’s alive. He’s "Kelly Tough."
But the confusion is totally understandable.
See, there isn't just one Jim Kelly. In the world of fame, names overlap, and sometimes the wires get crossed in our collective memory. If you’re searching for "Jim Kelly died of cancer," you might be thinking of the martial arts icon from Enter the Dragon. Or maybe you heard about the recent, heartbreaking passing of the beloved Cincinnati Bearcats broadcaster.
Let's clear the air and look at what actually happened to the men who shared this famous name.
The Buffalo Legend: Jim Kelly’s Brutal Battle
When people talk about Jim Kelly and cancer, they’re usually thinking of the Bills QB. Honestly, the man has been through enough for ten lifetimes. His struggle wasn't a quiet one; it was a public, grueling war against oral cancer that started back in 2013.
It began with a pain in his jaw. At first, it seemed like a dental issue—maybe a root canal gone wrong. But the pain didn’t stop. After a second opinion and a biopsy, the news was grim: squamous cell carcinoma.
A Fight for His Life
The treatment was violent. Doctors had to remove a significant portion of his upper jaw and the roof of his mouth.
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Then came the recurrence.
In 2014, the cancer came back, and this time it was more aggressive. It moved toward his brain. Surgery wasn't even an option because the tumor was too close to his carotid artery. Kelly was given a 10% chance to live.
10 percent. Think about that.
He underwent chemotherapy and radiation that left him unable to produce saliva and drastically changed his speech. He lost 70 pounds. He was a shell of the man who used to stare down NFL linebackers. Yet, in early 2019, his wife Jill announced he was cancer-free.
Today, in 2026, Jim Kelly remains a survivor. He still deals with the permanent side effects—the jaw pain and the dry mouth—but he’s here. He spends his time as a motivational speaker, telling people to never give up. He’s the living embodiment of his own "Kelly Tough" mantra.
The Martial Arts Icon: The Jim Kelly Who Did Pass
If you specifically remember hearing that Jim Kelly died of cancer years ago, you aren't misremembering. You’re thinking of James Milton Kelly.
He was the coolest man on the screen in 1973. Sporting a massive Afro and a "don't mess with me" attitude, he played Williams alongside Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon. He was the first Black martial arts film star. He was a legend in his own right.
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The 2013 Loss
Unfortunately, this Jim Kelly did pass away.
- Date of Death: June 29, 2013.
- Cause: Cancer.
- Age: 67.
He died at his home in San Diego. It was a massive blow to the martial arts community and fans of 70s cinema. Because his death happened right around the same time the Bills quarterback was first diagnosed, the news cycles blurred together. People saw the headline "Jim Kelly Died of Cancer" and their minds jumped to the football player.
The Cincinnati Voice: A More Recent Tragedy
There’s another reason this topic is trending again.
In October 2025, the sports world lost Jim Kelly Jr., the legendary radio analyst for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. He was 71. He had been the "link between generations" for Cincinnati football for nearly 40 years.
He also died of cancer.
He was a Hall of Fame receiver for the Bearcats in the 70s before moving to the booth. His death was a local tragedy in Ohio that made national waves. If you saw a post on social media recently about "Jim Kelly passing away after a battle with cancer," this is most likely the man they were talking about.
Why the Confusion Persists
Google has a funny way of mixing things up. When you type in "Jim Kelly died of cancer," the algorithm sees three different famous men with the same name, all of whom have "cancer" associated with their life stories.
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- Jim Kelly (NFL): Diagnosed multiple times, survived against 10% odds.
- Jim Kelly (Actor): Died of cancer in 2013.
- Jim Kelly (Broadcaster): Died of cancer in 2025.
It’s a perfect storm for misinformation.
The Reality of Oral Cancer
The Bills legend often says he wished he’d seen a doctor sooner. That's the real takeaway here. Oral cancer—specifically squamous cell carcinoma—is sneaky. It starts as a sore that won't heal or a nagging pain you think is just a toothache.
Kelly’s "Kelly Tough" foundation and his work with head and neck cancer awareness isn't just for show. It’s about catching it before it requires a prosthetic jaw.
What to Look For
- Unexplained mouth sores that last longer than two weeks.
- Persistent pain in the jaw or ear.
- Lumps or thickening in the cheek.
- Difficulty swallowing or moving the tongue.
Final Thoughts on a Resilient Legacy
Jim Kelly, the quarterback, is very much alive. He is a testament to modern medicine and a sheer, stubborn will to live. He’s seen his son, Hunter, die of Krabbe disease. He’s survived three bouts of cancer. He’s lost Super Bowls and nearly lost his life.
But he hasn't lost his spirit.
The next time you hear someone say "Jim Kelly died of cancer," you can set the record straight. One legend did pass away in 2013, and another beloved voice left us in 2025. But the man who wore #12 for the Bills is still fighting the good fight.
Next Steps for Your Health:
If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent mouth pain or a sore that won't heal after 14 days, don't wait. Schedule an oral cancer screening with your dentist or primary care physician immediately. Early detection is the difference between a minor procedure and the grueling battle Jim Kelly had to endure.