Bills Legends, others reconvene in Batavia to support Jim Kelly's annual Celebrity Classic

Batavia, N.Y. (WBEN) - A number of notable Buffalo Bills alumni and others around the sports landscape gathered Monday for the 39th annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia.

The annual celebrity golf tournament features former Bills players and teammates of Kelly's taking part, as well as other former and current athletes to support the Kelly for Kids Foundation, which has granted millions of dollars to local organizations over the years supporting disadvantaged and disabled youth. This includes Hunter's Hope, which is named in honor of Kelly's son, Hunter, who passed away 21 years ago at the age of 8 due to Krabbe disease.

Some of the notable names, past and present, in attendance on Monday included former Bills players Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley and Cornelius Bennett, as well as NFL Hall-of-Famer Warren Sapp, former Super Bowl winning quarterback Jim McMahon, Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert and Sabres assistant coach Marty Wilford.

Kelly is thankful to make it to his 39th celebrity golf tournament, especially given a recent health scare with a stroke suffered earlier this year.

"To be honest with you, I prayed that I was going to get my 30th, and thank God that we're going to be 40 next year, which is awesome," said Kelly just before golfers teed off Monday morning. "Some of these guys have been coming for 30-plus years. I know a handful, probably a couple handfuls of guys that have come for almost forever. But it's awesome. We still have persons on the wait list, so we couldn't have everybody because can't have too many people out here. But the people that continue to donate year-after-year makes a difference for all the communities and all the charities around Western New York, and, of course, my son's foundation, Hunter's Hope. But it's fun."

Kelly admits the 40th Celebrity Classic is anticipated to be one to remember for those who are hopeful to make it to Batavia in 2027.

"I've already reached out to a lot of them about next year, because they have a life now, they have you know families. Like 'Big Ben' [Ben Roethelisberger] has kids now that play sports, and some of the other guys that have little kids, younger guys. But next year, I've already reached out to a bunch for the 40th anniversary, we're gonna have some fun. And we're gonna have a heck of a crew next year," Kelly acknowledged.

For a number of notable Bills alumni, the annual golf tournament is a great chance to rekindle some past relationships with teammates.

"For the guys that I played with, to get back together and we touch base with so many guys. Jim brings in a ton of the old guys that were teammates through those years in the '90s, and you get a chance to touch base, see how they're doing, renew friendships. That's the best part for us," said Bills Wall-of-Famer Steve Tasker.

"We're all getting up there in years, as you could tell the gray hair here, but it's always great to get with the guys," added former Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett. "We have such a special bond, so anytime we are able to get together, we do. We have a good text chain that goes around with us handful of guys, but it's great to see each other in person."

As for former Bills linebacker Darryl Talley, it's not just reuniting with former teammates that makes the annual event special.

"What makes it so special is Jim. You think about it, he and I have been connected to the hip since we got to this league. We were in the same draft class, and just come out to help my teammates out. And then I get to see the rest of my teammates, I get to interact with them. I get to see the fans, I get to have fun with them. So yeah, it's a great thing, great idea," Talley said.