Miami Hurricanes Ninth All-Time in Pro Football Hall of Fame Players

Jim Kelly was arguably the first big star of the Howard Schnellenberger era. He played at Miami from 1979-82. He left the U as the school’s All-Time leading passer with 5,223 yards. Kelly has since fallen to 12th. If not for injuries during his college career he would have had significantly more.

Backing up Kelly during his tenure at Miami is current Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt. During his Sophomore season, Kelly led the U to its first bowl win in 14 seasons and just fourth ever when Miami defeated Virginia Tech 20-10 in the 1980 Peach Bowl.

During his Miami Career, Kelly threw 33 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Like Otto, Kelly began his professional career in an upstart league. After being drafted 14th overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Kelly chose to sign with the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League.

Kelly put up astronomical numbers in Mouse Davis’ run and shoot offense during his two seasons in Houston. He threw for 9,842 83 touchdowns and 45 interceptions. He averaged a then unheard of 273 yards passing yards per game.

Kelly joined the Bills after the collapse of the USFL. His first season in Buffalo was 1986. He helped begin a significant Buffalo turnaround. The Bills went 2-14 the season before Kelly arrived. They were 4-12 in his second season and went 7-8 during the 1987 strike season.

By 1988, Marv Levy’s second full season as Head Coach, the Bills went 12-4 and advanced to the AFC Championship game. That season was the beginning of a six year run of consecutive AFC East Championships. They won again in 1995 and 1996 to make it eight in nine years.

By 1991 the Bill advanced to their first Superbowl. The would make a still NFL record four straight Superbowls, losing them all.

Kelly retired after the 1996 NFL season throwing for 45,309 yards during his 13-year professional career.