Gambler Quarterback Jim Kelly Doesn’t Feel Pressure to Repeat His Big Season

Pressure has followed Jim Kelly since his high school days and he expects more of the same.

The Houston Gamblers’ quarterback didn’t let nerves get the better of him when he was 18, however, and he’s not about to let them start. Kelly, who turned 25 on Valentine’s Day, treats the upcoming USFL season just as he has any other.

“Who knows what will happen this year?” Kelly said. “As long as we win, I don’t care if I throw just three touchdown passes. The only pressure I really feel is pressure on the field. I just try to play every game the same--hard--whether it’s an exhibition game or a playoff game.”

Kelly threw for 5,129 yards last year and became the first professional quarterback to throw for more than 40 touchdowns with 44. Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino also had more than 5,000 passing yards, and broke Kelly’s TD record by throwing 48 in the 1984-85 NFL season.

However, while Marino was a cover boy for countless magazines and the center of interest last season, Kelly’s accomplishments went relatively unnoticed.

Kelly is not bitter over receiving less attention for his feats.

“If we stay healthy, maybe we’ll break the record again,” said Kelly, who added he is happy for Marino.

The strong-armed quarterbacks have more in common than professional records. Both come from Pennsylvania, like many other standout quarterbacks, and both had to overcome skepticism.

Kelly remembers doubters questioning whether a quarterback from a small high school in East Brady, Pa., could make it at the University of Miami.

He responded by throwing for 5,228 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Kelly was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft.

He said, “We were five minutes away from signing,” when Chicago Blitz general manager Bruce Allen intervened.

“He told my agent I could play for any team in the USFL,” Kelly said. “It was my choice.”

After visiting the Tampa Bay Bandits, Kelly went to Houston.

“Jerry Argovitz (Gamblers general partner) told me he wasn’t flying me in just to talk. He wanted to sign me then and there.”

Kelly signed with Houston and said he hopes to play there “forever.”

“But I’ll take it one year at a time,” he said. “My future is playing quarterback for someone. I don’t see Buffalo in my future. Maybe there’ll be a merger of some teams from the USFL into the NFL.

“Wherever I play, you can rest assured I’ll give it 100%.”

Upon joining the Gamblers, Kelly said pressure mounted. It was questioned if he would fit into Houston’s run-and-shoot offense, which employs four receivers and one running back, and requires its quarterback to roll out. Kelly preferred the traditional drop back.

“I had a rap on me that said I couldn’t run the football when I was in college,” Kelly said. “But Mouse (Davis, Houston’s former offensive coordinator) let me run a couple of plays that I ran in my college days and we mixed in a little of what I wanted to do.”

By mid-season, Kelly had thrown out all his plays and stuck to Davis’ game-plan.

“Mouse kept telling me this was my kind of offense and, really, it’s the kind of offense every quarterback dreams about,” Kelly said.

Kelly made dreams come true last season, leading the Gamblers to the Central Division title and being named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Off the field, Kelly has been a spokesman for the Gamblers and the USFL, and with that has come the pressure of defending the league’s credibility.

He sees the signing of players such as Steve Young, Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie bringing fan and media support.

“That’s important in sustaining any league,” Kelly said. “There’s no doubt, it takes stars to make it go.”

Kelly and the Gamblers face the Los Angeles Express today at the Coliseum.