Two Bills Drive

‘Here’s a quarterbacks club you rarely hear about: Doug Flutie’s son, Doug Jr., has severe autism. Boomer Esiason’s son, Gunnar, has cystic fibrosis. Mark Rypien’s son died of a brain tumor. Jeff Blake’s son has no nerve endings to his intestines. Jeff Hostetler’s son has a heart ailment. Kurt Warner’s stepson is blind. And upon being inducted today into the Hall of Fame, Jim Kelly will spotlight his life of nevers with his son, Hunter.’

‘Schnellenberger called Kelly the single most important person in the revival of Miami football.’

‘”As tough as Jim is, he’ll be the first to tell you his son is tougher,” said Leo Armbrust, team chaplain for the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins and a close friend of Kelly’s.’

‘Selling the Bledsoe property might be difficult because of its size and price, Thompson said. The house is available for viewing by appointment only, said Maryanne Rizzo, from the DeWolfe real estate agency in Westwood, which is handling the sale.’

‘”I brought family, friends, teammates and coaches from as far back as I can remember,” Kelly said. “I wish I could have brought more.”‘

‘The former star of the Buffalo Bills has taken over two hotels in nearby Akron and expects about 1,200 close friends from upstate New York and his native western Pennsylvania to attend induction ceremonies on Saturday afternoon.’

‘After a relatively injury-free first week, seven Bills went down during Friday’s double sessions. The most serious injury was to backup middle linebacker Brandon Spoon, who suffered a ruptured right biceps tendon and will undergo surgery Monday. He could miss the entire season.’

‘In less than four hours Friday, 800 footballs — at $50 a pop — with Kelly’s likeness on them were sold.’

‘Kalsu was an All-American lineman at OU in 1967, then was an eighth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Bob Kalsu, a former Oklahoma All-American and the only pro football player killed while serving during the Vietnam War, is being honored by a U.S. Army post in Kentucky.’

‘Each day Hunter displays strength and courage, not against blitzing defenses but against cancerous cells poisoning his tiny frame. Hunter has surpassed a life expectancy of 14 months by toughing-out more than 15 bouts of life-threatening pneumonia. Hunter battles every day — not for extra yardage or six points, simply for one more day.’

‘”He’s been in and out of hospitals all his life, and he continues to battle,” Kelly said. “Ever since I was selected, I’ve prayed every single day and night that Hunter could be there to see it.”‘

If you've ever had the opportunity to see or speak to Drew Bledsoe it is apparent that he is a man who possesses charisma, is down-to-earth, and is as friendly as the next guy, regardless of his "superstar" persona. This is not an act for the fans or media. This is Drew Bledsoe. This is how he was raised. This is a credit to his parents.

‘The Pro Football Hall of Fame decided a few months ago to move this year’s induction ceremony from the steps out front to the stadium next door. Perfect timing: Jim Kelly’s coming — with 1,200 guests. “At least,” Hall spokesman Joe Horrigan said.’

‘Buffalo Bills linebacker Brandon Spoon is out indefinitely — and could miss the rest of the year — after tearing his right biceps tendon in practice on Friday.’