Overview

• University of Cincinnati officials confirmed Jim Kelly Jr.'s death, reporting he died Sunday night at age 71, while the Cincinnati Enquirer listed his age as 72 and the date as Oct. 13.
• Kelly had battled cancer and stepped away from broadcasts this season, making his final radio appearance during UC's Sept. 13 win over Northwestern State.
• He joined the Bearcats radio booth in 1988 and, aside from a short hiatus in the early 1990s, served for decades as the program's consistent color analyst and connector across generations.
• A former UC receiver, Kelly led the Bearcats in receptions from 1973 to 1975, finished with 76 catches for 964 yards, and briefly signed with the Chicago Bears before an injury ended his playing career.
• Kelly was inducted into UC's James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, was the son of namesake inductee Jim Kelly Sr., is survived by his wife, Sarah, and four sons, and memorial details will be announced by UC.