Jim Kelly knows how to fight. Tragedy has followed his family. First, he lost his son, Hunter, when he was just 8 years old. Then he battled cancer, not just once. Now, his newborn grandson is fighting for his life. But Kelly’s resilience runs deep. His grandson seems to have inherited that same will to fight. And with it, a flicker of hope remains.

On July 14, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback broke the news on Instagram. His daughter Erin and husband Parker had welcomed their first baby. Kelly called it a time of “deep joy” for their family. However, he admitted that it “comes with unexpected medical complications.” The celebration turned into a nightmare. Their newborn grandson needed immediate medical intervention. Machines kept him breathing. The family watched helplessly as doctors worked around the clock.

This Tuesday, Kelly’s family got something to cheer for. Jim’s Instagram post radiated relief and gratitude. “First we just want to say THANK YOU again and again to everyone who has been faithfully praying, sending messages, and encouraging our family during this very difficult time. We have some AMAZING NEWS to share: our Little Bean is off the ventilator!” Such a relief. Looks like the surgery went well with Kelly’s grandson.

The road to this moment wasn’t easy. Just days earlier, on Tuesday, July 15, Kelly had shared another update about his grandson’s critical condition. The baby needed a major procedure. “Little Brave Bean’s procedure is scheduled for 7am tomorrow morning,” Kelly wrote alongside his wife, Jill. “He is so strong and courageous. And his life has already changed our lives forever.”
The family kept certain details private out of respect. “Erin and Parker have asked that we do not share his most beautiful name yet with the public, because they still want to announce him to the world,” they explained. “And especially to those of you who have been praying fervently for our miracle Bean.” Prayers did work.

Jim Kelly understood that this crisis extended beyond his family. Other families face similar heartbreak daily. Medical emergencies strike without warning, changing everything instantly. “We just want you to know that we’re sharing this because we want to remind you too, that YOU ARE NOT ALONE,” they concluded. Back in February, this story began with pure joy. Kelly and Jill had announced their upcoming grandparent status with sonogram photos.

Erin and Parker beamed in the pictures, holding up ultrasound images. “We finally get to share the amazing news…we’re going to be GRANDPARENTS ❤️,” they wrote. “Our firstborn is having her firstborn!!!” Now their “Little Bean” breathes on his own. The ventilator is gone, replaced by hope. But behind Bean’s gradual recovery lies an army of prayers, especially from the Bills family, who’ve made this fight their own.

Bills’ family rallies around Kelly’s grandson

Jim Kelly won’t let his family face this alone. The Hall of Fame quarterback keeps updating fans about his newborn grandson’s critical condition. Kelly protected his family’s privacy while sharing their pain.

“Erin and Parker have asked that we do not share his most beautiful name yet with the public, because they still want to announce him to the world 😭 and especially to those of you who have been praying fervently for our miracle Bean.” Thursday brought cautious optimism.

Kelly posted another update on July 18, balancing hope with reality. “While we are so grateful that his procedure went well, the road ahead is still long and filled with many intricate, delicate steps in his healing journey.”

Little Bean still fights on a ventilator in critical care. Bills Mafia responded exactly as expected – with overwhelming love and support. Comments poured in from across the football community. Josh Allen’s sister, Nicala Madden, who recently had her own son in September 2024, sent heartfelt prayers. “Praise Jesus 🙏 continuing to pray for sweet baby Bean and your beautiful family. ❤️” Bills backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s wife Hillary added her support with “♥️♥️🙏🙏.”

This isn’t Kelly’s first battle with medical tragedy. His son Hunter died at just eight years old. In 2013, doctors found a tumor on his upper gum. They removed it, thinking it was gone. But cancer came back—aggressive and relentless. It spread through facial nerves, reached his jaw, and crept dangerously close to his eye, just inches from his brain. By 2014, Kelly faced the toughest battle of his life—harder than any fourth-quarter comeback. Now the 65-year-old grandfather draws on that painful experience, hoping for a different outcome this time.