Buffalo Bills: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Was there really any question which Bills quarterback belonged highest on this list? Jim Kelly was not only a sensational gunslinger during his days in Buffalo, but he was a local legend who helped elevate the franchise and bring together a fan base.

Put simply, Kelly was a lightning rod for the Bills who brought immediate success with him after being selected 14th overall in 1983. That is, after two seasons with the Houston Gamblers before the USFL folded and he was forced to rejoin Buffalo. Still, despite his reluctance to play in a cold climate, it couldn’t have worked out better for him.

Between 1990 to 1993, Kelly led the Bills to four-straight Super Bowls. Although all four culminated in losses, the fact that he conducted some of the NFL’s all-time greatest offenses while reaching the game’s biggest stage year after year was wildly impressive.

Now a permanent fixture in Buffalo lore and fans’ hearts, Kelly embodies the passion and loyalty that Bills Mafia brings to the game every Sunday. His recent perseverance through multiple battles with cancer has made him even more of a fan favorite.