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View Full Version : Jim Kelly's son, Hunter, dies


RoXer
08-05-2005, 02:32 PM
Associated Press
Posted: 50 minutes ago

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Hunter Kelly, whose battle with a fatal nervous system disease inspired his Hall of Fame father Jim Kelly's charitable works, died Friday morning. He was 8.

"Our prayers go to the family and kids," Jim Kelly's brother, Dan, told The Associated Press.
Born in 1997, Hunter Kelly was given no more than three years to live after being diagnosed with Krabbe Disease, an inherited degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease hinders development of the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that protects the brain's nerve fibers.

In honor of their son, Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, established the Hunter's Hope Foundation in 1997, which has raised more than $6 million and awarded more than $3.8 million to leukodystrophy and other neurological disease-related research.

The disease has no known cure.

Jim Kelly, who won an unprecedented four straight AFC titles as the Bills' quarterback in the early 1990s, had credited his son for serving as his inspiration after he retired from football following the 1996 season.

"He'll never be able to do what daddy did," Kelly said last year. "But he's going to do greater things. He's going to make a difference in kids' lives. He already has."

Kelly and his son happened to share the same birthday, Valentine's Day.

The Kelly family was preparing to issue a press release later in the day, Dan Kelly said.
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Terrible :\'(

Corndad
08-05-2005, 02:52 PM
Thats a shame, His Hometown of East Brady, Pa is only about 10 mins from my house and I know that town will be in shock. Condolences to the Family, a great family all around. R.I.P. Hunter.

YOUR Hero
08-05-2005, 07:52 PM
Well he beat the doctor's odds by tons. Something to be found in that.

YOUR Hero
08-05-2005, 09:13 PM
*consolation

Bricktop
08-05-2005, 09:42 PM
its a shame. We need more celebs to help fund cures, because lord knows the government in the US isn't going to do it. I am also talking about the celebs/sports stars that don't wait until it directly effects them or someone they love either.

RP
08-09-2005, 03:08 AM
Was every bit as tough as his dad and it only took him 8 years to make people realize it. Sad stuff man. That moment at the Hall of Fame induction where Kelly is talking about his son, seriously brought out a few tears. Best wishes to the Kelly family.