Kelly Leaves Bills in Tears

Over the years, they went through their biggest victories and most frustrating losses together. On Friday, when Jim Kelly announced his retirement, he and the Buffalo Bills cried together.

Kelly, stopping several times to keep his voice from cracking, ended his 11-year NFL career with nine teammates at his side.

“To leave and not be a part of this team is something that will be very difficult to swallow,” said Kelly, looking toward teammates Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith and Kent Hull. “I also know in my stomach and in my heart, it’s time to move on.

“I don’t want to go out the way some other quarterbacks went out. I want to go out with some dignity, with respect from my peers, respect from my teammates. I wanted to retire a Buffalo Bill.”

Kelly, 36, told friends and family members last week that his career was over. He announced his retirement during an emotional news conference at Rich Stadium.

“I shed a couple tears,” Thomas said. “Me and Bruce both did. I know how much Jim means to me on and off the field. It’ll be a picture stuck in my mind for the rest of my life.”

The quarterback’s future with the Bills had been in doubt since the end of the season, and questions about his future intensified last week. Kelly had reserved comment until reaching a settlement reportedly worth $1 million with Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson.

“It’s difficult for me today to be here,” Wilson said. “There’s no player who has done so much for the Buffalo Bills as Jim Kelly.”

Kelly is considered the greatest quarterback in Bills’ history, having completed 60% of his passes for 35,467 yards, 237 touchdowns and 175 interceptions.

He turned the franchise around and gave hope to a football town but never achieved the ultimate goal of an NFL title. despite four Super Bowl appearances.

Former Michigan star Todd Collins is expected to take over the starting job for the Bills next season. The former Michigan star spent two years as Kelly’s understudy.

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Two years of retirement was plenty for Bud Carson, who at 65 is returning to the NFL as the St. Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator.

“To tell you the truth, I was getting sick of it,” Carson said Friday by telephone from his home in Sarasota, Fla. “Anybody can get tired of fishing. I’ve certainly rested enough.”

The hiring of Carson gives Coach Dick Vermeil five former pro head coaches on his staff.

Carson is best known for building the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s, but he led Cleveland to the AFC championship game in 1989 as head coach.

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Former San Francisco fullback Tom Rathman, secondary coach Jim L. Mora and Green Bay quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg joined the 49ers as assistants to Coach Steve Mariucci.

Left unsettled was the status of defensive coordinator Pete Carroll, who remains a candidate for the New England Patriots’ head coaching job.

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Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones is preventing anyone in the organization, including Coach Barry Switzer, from discussing football-related matters with the media.

The media blackout likely will last until after the draft on April 19-20, said Cowboy spokesman Rich Dalrymple, although it could extend through training camp.

The move is the latest in the team’s increasing efforts to limit access to the media. Midway through the season, the Cowboys closed the locker room after practices.

* HOW KELLY RANKS: C12