Jim Kelly Tragedy

Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly's eight- year-old son has passed away.

According to WGRZ TV in Buffalo, Hunter Kelly died after a battle with a rare disorder called Krabbe's Disease, which he was diagnosed with soon after being born on February 14, 1997. Kelly suffered from what is known as Krabbe Leukodystrophy, which is an inherited, fatal nervous system disease that gives the victim a life span of only a few years. A former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. He passed for more than 3,000 yards in a season eight times during his career with the Bills from 1986-96 and led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls, but lost each time. The 45-year-old Kelly was selected by the Bills with the 14th pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, but decided to sign with the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League. In two years with the Gamblers, he passed for 9,842 yards and 83 touchdowns. The USFL folded following the 1985 season, and Kelly decided to sign with the Bills prior to the 1986 campaign. Kelly became the fourth fastest quarterback in the history of the NFL to reach 30,000 yards passing. He finished his career by throwing for 35,467 yards with 237 touchdowns and 175 interceptions and holds every major Bills' passing record. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, the Miami-Florida product dedicated his Hall of Fame acceptance speech with some words of inspiration to Hunter. "It's been written that the trademark of my career was toughness," Jim Kelly said in 2002. "The toughest person I ever met in my life was my son, my hero, Hunter. I love you, buddy."