Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Former Buffalo Bills Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly was in attendance on Tuesday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Highmark Stadium. Kelly played a lot of great football at the old stadium across the street, but he loves the new stadium from what he’s seen.
“It’s amazing. This is something that my daughters would not allow me to move away from Buffalo, but having my kids here and now my grandson, I pray I just get some extra years where I’ll be able to enjoy a football game right here with my grandson,” Kelly said after Tuesday’s ceremony.
“I’ve been in there three or four times, and I got to walk into the locker room, and it’s amazing. I’ve been where rehab, or the guys go when they have little bumps and bruises, but the thing is it’s amazing. I can’t wait for opening day.”
One of the features with the new stadium is it’s built so the wind no longer swirls down to the field. Kelly played in some really bad conditions while at the old stadium, and says there are pros and cons to that.
“Of course, who wouldn’t want to do that (play in no wind)? But when I walked down on the field, it was pretty windy outside, and I felt nothing. So that’s awesome, but it’s also good for the opponents too,” Kelly said.
Fans will get their first look into the stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8 for the “Return of the Blue and Red” practice. Then on Aug. 15, the Bills will host their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
Kelly can’t wait for “Bills Mafia” to get in the new state-of-the-art facility.
“It should be special not only for the players, but imagine the fans in there, how crazy and loud they’re going to be. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” the Hall-of-Famer said. “I want to see how loud this stadium can get, and from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be unbelievable. But I don’t expect anything less.”
I wondered if it has been sad for Kelly to see crews ripping down the old stadium, because he has so many memories in there.
“Those are memories that I’ll cherish and take with me forever, but they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do. I understand that,” Kelly said. “But those memories will last forever.”
Kelly is still an ambassador for the Bills, as he says he’s signed a three-year contract.
“I’ve been with the Bills since 1986, and they still think I’m important enough to be here this long,” Kelly joked. “But I’m blessed. Where else would you rather be than right here, right now? Nowhere.”
When it comes to his health, Kelly says he’s feeling great, but did have a scare not too long ago.
“I had a little setback about a month-and-a-half ago and had a stroke,” he said. “But I spent a few days in the hospital, and right now I feel really good.”
Kelly adds his recent cancer scans are all good right now too.