Former Buffalo Bills and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, 54, was declared cancer-free Thursday after his latest biopsies this week came back negative.

"This is some of the greatest news I've ever gotten," Kelly said in a statement. "It's been a long road and I'm still not back to 100 percent, but I have a lot to be thankful for."

Kelly was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw in June 2013.  After a successful surgery, Kelly announced that he was cancer free. On March 2014 doctors at Erie County Medical Center announced that Kelly's cancer had recurred and that he would begin radiation and chemotherapy.

Doctors reported the Kelly's cancer was complex one. Rather than having one large tumor in his head like most cases, he had countless smaller microscopic ones. This is why the cancer was so difficult.

Initial tests were conducted last month, several weeks after Kelly completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments in Spring. There was no sign of cancer. To be certain doctors continued to biopsy other areas of Kelly's jaw. The results held negative.

Fans have resonated with Kelly and his battle with cancer.  Hundreds of thousands have sent the former quarterback messages on twitter with the hashtag "#KellyTough" attached. The phrase comes from Kelly's tenacity to handle pain, a trait that he displayed long before his diagnosis came in.

Kelly played his entire ten year football career with the Buffalo Bills. He holds the all-time NFL record for most yards gained per completion in a single game. In 1990 he recorded an NFL best 101.2 passer rating, led the league in touchdowns in 1991 and was a four time Pro Bowl selection. His record for 81 completions in his four Super Bowls is second only Joe Montana.

"I am so thankful for the support and prayers of my family, my friends near and far, and everyone in Western New York and throughout the country through my illness. I also want to thank the medical specialists who have done such amazing work," Kelly said. "Most of all I want to thank God. Without my faith and God's constant presence, there would be no such thing as 'Kelly Tough.'"