I have to respectfully disagree here. His personality was very lacking. I lived, across the street from him. He was so rude to his fans that it was embarrassing. I remember one incident at a restaurant, sitting at a table next to him. I could also see a man with his son, sitting several tables away. The son was very excited. His father walked over to Jim, and I must agree, should have waited until Jim finished his dinner; ask him to sign his son's baseball cap. Jim angrily refused to sign the cap, told the man to see his brother who is in charge of publicity. He told the man that he doesn’t give autographs. With all the negative energy he expelled, he could have been gracious, and signed the cap. I was shocked at his behavior. There were several other children who wanted and did not get an autograph. Perhaps the illness of his son mellowed Jim. I certainly hope so.
I also was present in a restaurant, while OJ Simpson was playing for the Bills. He and another player were eating lunch. A man came by, sat down in his booth, and began talking to both of them. They talked to this man for a good 10 minutes, signed autographs and then finished their lunch. He was the complete opposite of Jim Kelly. I know, OJ is a killer, but still, he knew how to treat and respect his fans. Another time, OJ was picking up his dry cleaning, a fan asked for an autograph, he set his clothes on hood of his car, signed the autograph, picked up his clothes, got into his car and drove away. It takes as much time and energy to say no, as it does to just sign his name. Just MHO.