BATAVIA, N.Y. -- Jim Kelly intends to deal with the cancer found in his upper jaw bone much like the Hall of Fame quarterback has approached many of the challenges in his life. "You have to confront them head on. And this is just another one," Kelly said Monday after revealing hes been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Kelly drew upon his family, faith and perseverance when facing major hurdles. Kelly leaned on those strengths to help overcome the death of his son, Hunter, and of his mother, and whatever obstacles std in his way on the ftball field. "Im down at the bottom. But I will rise to the top again," Kelly said. "I am extremely confident in my road to recovery. I plan to tackle this challenge head on, as we Kellys always do." Informed of the diagnosis two weeks ago, Kelly called the prognosis for recovery "very gd." He said tests show the cancer is isolated to the jaw. Doctors plan to remove part of Kellys jaw during an operation at a Buffalo hospital on Friday. It wont be determined until after surgery whether he will require chemotherapy "We caught it in time," the 53-year-old Kelly said. "Its just another challenge for me and I know Ill beat it." The announcement was made shortly before the start of the former quarterbacks 27th annual Kelly for Kids charitable foundations celebrity golf tournament. The news of Kellys condition immediately drew support from those attending the tournament. "The first thought is you say a prayer that everything works out OK," said Bill Polian, former general manager of the Bills, Panthers and Colts. "Secondly, he didnt earn a reputation as the toughest guy ever to play quarterback for no reason at all. So if anybody can overcome this, Jim can. He takes challenges head on." Receiver Andre Reed, Kellys favourite target, called the quarterback a "tough dude." "Jims a fighter. We think hell be OK. Were all in his corner," Reed said. "Hes such a resilient guy, and thats been our motto forever, in whatever we did. "Hes got the support, and Jim will be OK." Kelly spent 11 seasons with the Bills before retiring following the 1996 campaign, and has since made Buffalo his home. Known for his fearless, swashbuckling style, Kelly was the face of Bills teams that made four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s, only to lose them all. Inducted into the Pro Ftball Hall of Fame in 2002, Kelly still holds nearly every significant career franchise passing record: 35,467 yards, 237 touchdowns and 26 300-yard games. News of Kellys condition also attracted many well-wishers from around the world on social media. The term, "PrayersForJK," became popular on Twitter. "I LOVE JIM KELLY," Kellys teammate and Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas posted on his Twitter account. The diagnosis stems from pain Kelly began experiencing in his jaw in December. He initially thought it was an infection, but grew concerned when antibiotics failed to help. Tests eventually led to doctors removing a nickel-sized cyst from his gums and nasal cavity during an operation in early March. Follow-up tests revealed the cancer. "When you hear the word cancer, it automatically scares you," he said. "But Im very confident. My faith is definitely there. And that probably, more than anything, has kept me going, and the support Ive gotten from my family." Concerns about Kellys health were first raised last week when his wife, Jill Kelly, posted a message published on imgur.com. Without going into detail, she noted that the family was going through a "more serious battle under our rf," and asked followers to pray for her husband "for healing." Later, a youth sports foundation in Sioux Falls, S.D., announced that the Hall of Famer would not be able to attend the Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends banquet on June 13 for personal reasons. This is but the latest operation Kelly will have had over the past few years. Hes also had surgery to correct back, neck and hernia problems. Kelly has remained active despite the diagnosis. On May 26, he joined country music artist Tim McGraw on stage and threw ftballs into the crowd during a concert outside Buffalo. A week earlier, he attended The Preakness in Baltimore. And then there was Kelly playing host to the many weekend festivities involving his charitable foundation. Kelly was upbeat in addressing reporters Sunday, while attending the foundations annual gala and auction. He was just as engaging before the golf tournament in making sure to greet many of his guests. Taking the microphone to start the tournament, Kelly joked while reminding everyone to enjoy themselves, cautioning that mulligans were not allowed. "Jim cuts a wide swath," former teammate turned broadcaster Steve Tasker said. "He doesnt forget people. And for that, people love him. Thats why Buffalo loves him. Thats why I love him. "Hes a teammate in life." The Kelly for Kids Foundation was established in 1987, and has since donated millions of dollars to numerous organizations around the region. Kelly later founded the Hunters Hope Foundation in honour of his son, Hunter, who was born with Krabbe disease. Thats an inherited degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease hinders development of the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that protects the brains nerve fibers. Given little more than three years to live, Hunter died at the age of 8 in 2005.Authentic Custom Phillies Jersey .ca lks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Custom Phillies Jersey China . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. 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Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons.Adam Voges suffered concussion after being struck by a bouncer while batting for Western Australia.Voges was at the crease on day one of his sides Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania when he was hit on the head by a Cameron Stevenson bouncer.The 37-year-old had to be helped from the field, and Western Australia later confirmed that the batsman was not seriously hurt but would play no further part in the game. Voges has been diagnosed with concussion, Western Australia announced on social media. Voges is helped off the field after suffering concussion He is okay, naturally a bit groggy. Being monitored by medicos. Ruled out of rest of game.Voges also suffered concussion earlier this year while playing for Middlesex, when he was hit by a throw whille fielding against Hampshire in the County Championship.dddddddddddd Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price The latest incident occurred just days before the two-year anniversary of the death of Phillip Hughes, who was hit on the back of his head by a bouncer while playing for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield and died two days later in hospital.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price!Also See:Fixtures/resultsLive cricket on SkyGet Sky SportsCricket videos ' ' '