Former UM, Buffalo QB Jim Kelly keynotes 20th annual Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast

VERO BEACH — Former NFL Buffalo Bill's quarterback Jim Kelly will be the keynote speaker at the 20th annual Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast.

The breakfast will be 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Riverside Park.

The Rev. Jonathan Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University and senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, also will speak.

Despite some life-changing events, Kelly has stayed persistent, and talks about the power of the four F's — Faith, Friends, Family and Fans — and what it means to be "Kelly Tough." His story is "A Journey of Perseverance."

Kelly spent his college football career with University of Miami Hurricanes, compiling a record of 5,228 yards and 33 touchdowns and being named a Heisman candidate. The Buffalo Bills drafted him in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, but he signed with the Houston Gamblers in the USFL. When the league crumbled, Kelly came back to the NFL and played for the Bills from 1986-1996.

Who is Jim Kelly?

Kelly, grew up in East Brady, Pennsyslvania, and was inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. During his NFL career he led the Bills to eight playoff games and four consecutive Super Bowls.

Despite an iconic football career, Kelly is no stranger to adversity. His toughness has been tested multiple times. He lost his 8-year-old son, Hunter, to Krabbe Leukodystrophy, a rare metabolic disorder, and battled cancer four times himself.

The Rev. Jonathan Falwell

Falwell has spent his lifetime with the ministries of Thomas Road Baptist Church, serving as the senior pastor since 2007. He is the son of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of Thomas Road Bptist Church, who died in 2007.

He has been Liberty University's vice chancellor for spiritual affairs, executive VP for spiritual affairs and a campus pastor.

Celebrating its 20th year, the Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast works toward the goal of deepening the spiritual life and strengthening the moral fiber of the community. It's similar to other events around the country by public and private citizens who strive to build strong spiritual communities.

The first Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast was hosted by Mayor Tom White and called the "Mayor's Prayer Breakfast" with Barry Black as the keynote speaker. It was held for spiritual comfort after the treacherous hurricanes. Since, the event has seen notable speakers such as Bill McCarthney, Marco Rubio, Kirk Cameron, Phil Robertson and Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast

What: 20th annual Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast

When: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15

Where: Riverside Park, 3001 Riverside Park Drive

Tickets: Available at https://verobeachprayerbreakfast1.dudaone.com/

Eve Pierpont is a freelance writer who reports on Treasure Coast news. You can reach her at evepierpont@outlook.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jim Kelly, Jonathan Falwell address 20th Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast