Star Struck!!
So, the 17th of September was my birthday. And after a slow start to September, on the autograph front, I decided that I would treat myself to an autograph signing.
During the week, leading up to the weekend, I found out that Jim Kelly and (his wife) Jill Kelly were scheduled to do a signing in Orchard Park, New York...on Saturday.
Jill has recently released a book, about her family's experiences concerning their son Hunter. The Kelly's only son, Hunter, was diagnosed with Krabbe disease shortly after his birth on February 14, 1997. Hunter died as a result of this disease on August 5, 2005 at the age of eight. The Kelly's also have two (older) daughters.
To honor his son, Kelly established a non-profit organization in 1997 (Hunter's Hope). Kelly's advocacy on behalf of Krabbes' patients has increased national awareness of the disease. Kelly and his wife, Jill, founded the annual Hunter's Day of Hope, which is held on February 14, the birthdays of both Jim and Hunter Kelly.
I've gone to a Jim Kelly signing once before. Believe it or not, it was less than 3 months after Jim lost his son. Jim seemed in good spirits that day, in Buffalo's Walden Galleria, when he signed a Bills helmet for me. It was one of the very few times, that I was 'star struck'! I barely got out that I drove down from Toronto to meet him, when one of the handlers...hijacked the conversion! He started saying 'Oh you're from Canada?! Go Leafs Go! Hahaha!!'. Jim Kelly didn't like that very much...as he is a Sabres fan! He gave the guy a dirty look, and then...thankfully...shook my hand, then I was escorted off.
I really wanted to say..."Jim, you're my football hero! Thanks for the years of excitement! Thanks for the 4 AFC Championships! You're the reason I began to watch football, and the reason I love the Bills!" But none of that came out. I got star sruck, then moved along.
Often at work, my friends and I started razzin' eachother about our football teams. Dallas this, Patriots that, or "How about the fish?!". I usually get the standard razzes..."Oh a Bills fan eh?!, how about the 4 Super Bowl losses?!". I quickly respond with..."Hey, at least 4 of the players from those teams are in the Hall of Fame! ...And coach Levy too!" And if I continue to get some slack for being a Bills super-fan...I quickly mention one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, who led the Bills for 10 years, Jim Kelly...and I usually end the conversion on that point!
Everyone usually respects Kelly. Let me tell you why.
1st round pick. 4 Pro Bowl selections. 35,467 passing yards. 237 touchdowns. Member of the Bills wall of fame. 2874 completions. Number 12 retired by the Bills. Creator of the K-gun offence. And finally, a member of the Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hall, on August 3rd, 2002.
So, on September 18th, my wife Corinna and I decided to return to Buffalo. Armed with nothing to get signed...only a camera to capture it all, we hopped in the Highlander and headed for the border. As former Buffalo Bills season ticket holders, we know the greater Buffalo area fairly well...and decided to visit a flea market in the Walden Galleria area, to try and find something cool to get signed by my favourite quarterback of all time!
Prior to leaving, I called the bookstore, to make sure that I could get an additional item signed, besides the book. I was told that if I purchase a book, he'll sign it, or any item of your choice. I was quite happy with that news!
After crossing the border, we arrived at the flea market. I was looking for a jersey, or something different to get signed. After we wondered around for about 30 minutes...we couldn't find a jersey. However, we did find a vendor that was selling souvenir white Bills footballs. I checked it out, and thought the football (that lists the history of the team) would look great signed in blue Sharpie! So, after haggling out a price...we left the flea market, with the football.
We arrived at Barnes & Noble, in Orchard Park about 15 minutes later. Ralph Wilson Stadium, the home of the Bills, is about 6 or 7 minutes away from the bookstore. We walked in, and quickly purchased our copy of Jill Kelly's book. We were told that the signing was being done by numbered ticket, and that we had to go to the back of the store where the tickets and signing area where located. We went up to the lady who was handling the tickets, and after we showed our proof of purchase we were given our numbered ticket.
Apparently, everyone was to line up by number, once the signing began. I always preferred this style of signing...this was I can leave and return, knowing I haven't lost my spot. However, we had a high number...and decided to go shopping. When we left the bookstore, I knew that the signing started at 1pm, and we didn't have to hurry up. We had number 116.
After alot of window shopping, and a enjoyable lunch, we returned to the bookstore. Seeing that the signing had began, we were hoping that our number was close. Negative. They were only in the 70's, at this point. So I decided to take a few pictures.
Jim and his wife, Jill, were joined by their two daughters...Camryn and Erin, who were signing their mother's book also! Cool! People were getting the entire family's signatures on their book!
Jim was also signing other items. Somebody actually gave Jim an authentic NFL football to sign, which he did, and Jim had him "go long" and threw him the autographed football! Can you imagine a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing you a signed a football?!!
Anyways, Corinna and I decided to look around the bookstore. I found the sports section, and quickly enjoyed all the books about the Buffalo Bills! After killing 15 minutes around the store, we got into the long line. Corinna and I chatted about things we saw that people had to get signed...footballs, mini-helmets, photos, and of course...the book. Strangely though, we didn't notice any jerseys.
After only a few minutes, we found ourselves at the front of the line. When it was our turn up next, the handlers took our book and football. We took a corner, and were instantly in front of the Kelly's!
First in line was Jill Kelly, she took our book and signed it nicely adding a bible verse. Her inscription was "Deut 31:8". Corinna said hello, and was speaking with Mrs. Kelly, when I noticed that Jim was signing a football.
But it wasn't mine. He was quickly signing one for an employee, who snuck it in!
Here I was, again finally, in front of my favourite QB! I wanted to say thanks for everything! Thanks for the memories! Thanks for putting Buffalo football, back on the map! But I didn't. I froze up. Jill Kelly spoke to me, saying thanks for coming out. I snapped out of my frozen state, and said; "Our pleasure, we came down from Toronto to support your book!". Jill Kelly looked shocked! "Stop it! For real?!" She spoke out. I looked quickly at Jim, he was signing my football! And thankfully, in blue Sharpie! I said, "Honestly, we're from Canada...we wanted to help Hunter's Hope!".
Jill Kelly was very grateful, shaking Corinna's hand again, and then shaking mine...and then got Jim's attention. She said; "These nice people came all the way down from Canada, Jim! Sign the book for them too!" She then looked at my hat, which is a white Bills cap, and asked me "Do you want your hat signed too?!" Here I was, finally in a conversation with Kelly...just not the QB, it was his wife!
I said "No, that's ok...I don't want to be greedy, and slow down the line!". Mrs. Kelly then thanked us again, for coming down to Buffalo and for supporting the book and charity. While she said this, Jim signed our book! Awesome, I got two autographs from him! Jim looked up at me, finally, and offered his hand and spoke to me.
"Thanks for coming out, we appreciate it. Have a safe drive home!". I remember shaking his hand...but if I said something back, you'd have to ask Corinna! I noticed that Corinna was shaking his hand afterwards, meaning I was finally coming out of this "star struck" moment! Haha! Jim then slid the book to his two daughters, who quickly signed our book and thanked us for our support. We both said thanks, in return, as I reached back along the table for my football. Can't forget that!
As we walked away, I looked at Corinna...and she began to laugh at me! "A little star struck, there buddy?!" She joked. "I guess so...so much for interviewing him for my blog! But, look at my football...it's awesome!". She agreed that he signed it perfectly, and then commented on Jim Kelly's hands..."His mitts are huge!" That's true, Jim Kelly is a huge man! If you ever meet him...shake his hand, you'll see!
After the signing, we drove over to the outlets...and I treated my wife to a new Coach purse. When we arrived back in Canada...we were both happy with our new treasures!
Thanks for read, and Go Bills!
C
PS; To learn more about Hunter's Hope, visit the website; 'www.huntershope.org'. It has lots of great information about Krabbe's disease, and the Kelly's story.
PS deux; Curious about Mrs. Kelly's bible inscription? She wrote "Deut 31:8", which in the King James Bible reads; "And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
PS trois; Finally, I turned 36 recently...matching the number of blog entries I've posted! ;)
