Jim Kelly is fighting an "aggressive" return of his cancer.
Doctors for the Hall of Fame quarterback are leaning toward surgery Thursday or perhaps April 1 at a New York City hospital, his brother Dan told the AP on Tuesday.
The long-time Bills star found out two weeks ago that the oral cancer he was originally diagnosed with in June of last year had returned. Kelly had part of his jaw and teeth removed as part of the original surgery.
Kelly is reported to be weak and "in bad shape," according to a story published Monday on WIVB's website. The Buffalo TV station reported that Kelly has been in and out of hospitals for the past 10 days.
Kelly's wife, Jill, reported on her blog that "the cancer's back, aggressive, and starting to spread."
On Sunday, members of the Kelly family gathered around the football great's hospital bedside to watch a prayer service held by their local Buffalo church.
"At the hospital...gathered around JK to watch The Chapel this morning," Jill Kelly wrote. "Overwhelmed and humbled to watch Pastor Jerry and our congregration family kneel in prayer for our family...to be prayed for by name."
His daughter, Erin, shared heartbreaking photos of her father on her Instagram account over the weekend.
"Watching the Syracuse game with daddy - he's my buddy! Love him so much!! #daddysgirl #prayersforjk #Kellytough," Erin Kelly shared on Saturday.
She followed up on Sunday with a picture of the two taking a walk down the hallway in the hospital.
"So thankful that he was up for a little walk today!! God is good!!!! And He HEALS!!!! #prayersforjk #Kellytough #daddysgirl."
Dan Kelly says the family has been overwhelmed by the messages of support via social media.
"Just the overwhelming support and prayers we've been getting is unbelievable," he told The Buffalo News. "Jim reads those messages on PrayForJimKelly (Facebook), and it's encouraging to him and gives him strength."
Dennis DiPaolo, a close friend of the Kelly family, told WIVB that Kelly is in a lot of pain, but that the Hall of Famer is encouraging everyone around him to stay strong.
"He's like come on, don't hang your heads," DiPaolo said. "Like you walk in the room and he's in a huddle and still commanding everyone and even if he's trying to rest his eyes, he knows you're there and he goes, 'Thanks for coming guys.' He's just a remarkable individual."
Fellow Bills greats Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed spent time with Kelly at his home on Friday.
Kelly, 54, led the Bills to four consecutive AFC titles during his 11 years running Buffalo's high-octane offense. Although the Bills lost all four Super Bowls, Kelly's place in NFL history is secure. Kelly, who started his pro career in the upstart USFL, threw for over 35,000 yards with the Bills, winning 101 games.
The five-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
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