Cardale Jones Meets Legendary Bills QB Jim Kelly, Says Coach Rex Ryan Might Be His "Long-Lost Dad"

By D.J. Byrnes on May 6, 2016 at 2:23 pm
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When the Buffalo Bills selected Cardale Jones with 139th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it meant the death of Jones' beloved No. 12. 

The Buffalo Bills retired No. 12, the number of Jim Kelly, the 90s era QB who led Buffalo to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, in 2001. It is the only number retired by the Bills.

The loss of a number and iconic nickname are small potatoes to Dale, however. The Buffalo Bills' newest No. 7 arrived at team facilities on Friday and can be seen in the video above—taken by Rochester, New York's ABC affiliate—eagerly fraternizing with Kelly. It's a glimpse into how Cardale approached the entire day:

The always loquacious Jones appeared in good spirits after workouts and seems to be adjusting to life in the NFL:

(Meanwhile, in Seattle, Tyvis Powell shakes his head in disgust before muttering about "ungrateful kids these days.")

Cardale would be wise to lean on the Hall of Famer going forward. Though nobody expects a rookie QB—let alone a fourth-rounder—to dominate the first week of practice, Bills head coach Rex Ryan didn't go out of his way to praise his newfound son:

Cardale Jones and the Buffalo Bills open their season Sunday, Sept. 11 in Baltimore against the Ravens. 

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