Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly has cancer

Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has announced that he has cancer.

"I was recently diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma (cancer) of the upper jaw bone," Kelly said in a statement. "I have undergone tests which have shown that the cancer is isolated to my upper jaw and has not spread to other parts of my body. Surgery is scheduled for June 7th and doctors have told me that the prognosis for my recovery is very good."

Kelly, 53, has had several health issues within the past few years, including surgeries on his back and neck. Earlier this year, he also had surgery to remove a nickel-sized cyst in his upper gums and nasal cavity. Now, he's battling cancer.

"With the excellent medical care that I will be receiving and the loving care of my wife Jill and my daughters Erin and Camryn and the support of my entire family and friends, I am extremely confident in my road to recovery," Kelly said Monday. "I plan to tackle this challenge head on, as we Kellys always do, with toughness, perseverance and faith."

MRW and I had a chance to meet and converse with Kelly at a jersey unveiling event in June of 2011, weeks after his back surgery. Though clearly in pain, the man's handshake remained bone-crushing and his grin stretched ear-to-ear. We're confident that Kelly will remain Kelly throughout this ordeal. Please keep Kelly and his family in your thoughts and prayers, Rumblers.