Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Kelly declined a scholarship offer from Penn State to play linebacker in favor of pursuing his career as a quarterback at the University of Miami. While playing for the Hurricanes, Kelly passed for 5,233 yards and 32 touchdowns, helping Miami restore itself as a premier collegiate football program. He was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame in 1992.

Kelly was selected as the third quarterback in the 1983 National Football League (NFL) draft by the Buffalo Bills, but opted to play for the United States Football League's (USFL) Houston Gamblers. In 1984, he was named USFL Player of the Year after passing for a league-record 5,219 yards and 44 touchdowns. Kelly began his career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills in 1986 after the USFL disbanded.

Revered for quarterbacking one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, the standout signal caller amassed 35,467 passing yards and 237 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Bills. Kelly, who perfected the no-huddle offense during his tenure in Buffalo, passed for more than 3,000 yards in eight different seasons, was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and guided the Bills to eight post-season appearances and an unrivaled four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, his first year of eligibility.

After retiring from the NFL in 1997, Kelly began his career in broadcast as an NFL Game Analyst for both NBC Sports and ESPN. He also runs an annual football camp for kids and serves as CEO of Jim Kelly Inc., which handles all of his business and marketing operations.

Kelly has also devoted much of his post-football life to his son, Hunter, who was diagnosed with Krabbe disease (Globoid-cell Leukodystrophy) and passed away on August 5, 2005 at the age of eight. Kelly and his wife, Jill, established an organization called Hunter's Hope, to raise funds to fight the disease. Additionally, Kelly supports disadvantaged and disabled youth in Western New York via the Kelly for Kids Foundation.

Jim lives in upstate New York with Jill and their two daughters, Erin and Camryn.

Jim is a polished keynote speaker and has spoken to a wide variety of organizations including Fortune 500 companies, Universities, health care organizations, as well as many other businesses. In his speech, he shares his life story of overcoming obstacles including his insights on teamwork, leadership, and having a special needs child. Jim's story is one of "Perseverance".