Terry Henry and Jim Kelly have seemingly been linked forever.

Now that will officially be the case.

Henry and Kelly will be inducted into different departments of the local Football Hall of Fame next weekend at the Heinz History Center and Sports Museum in Pittsburgh.

The ceremony commences at 11 a.m. Kelly will enter the Ray Mansfield Memorial Hall of Fame, Henry the Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

It’s only fitting the two go in as a combo.

What started as a head coach-quarterback relationship at East Brady High School developed into a lifetime friendship.

When Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, Henry was there in Canton with him and Kelly spoke highly of him during his induction speech.

When Kelly underwent chemotherapy treatments while battling cancer, Henry went up to Buffalo to be with him.

Any honor that has come Kelly’s way through the years, Henry has been there to enjoy it with him. And deservedly so.

To Kelly’s credit, he never forgot what Henry meant to his career — and to his life.

A three-sport athlete himself at East Brady, Henry returned to his alma mater a year after he graduated from Slippery Rock State College. He was hired to teach elementary physical education and coach football.

In just his second year of teaching, Henry became head coach at East Brady. He put together a 69-16-3 record and reached the Little 12 championship game seven times in nine seasons.

He later took over a Seneca Valley football program that won four of 40 games the previous four years. He was 74-48-2 in 12 years with the Raiders before retiring in 2005.

Kelly was an all-state quarterback under Henry’s guidance, throwing for 3,915 yards and 44 touchdowns in high school. He scored more than 1,000 points in basketball as well and guided East Brady to the state semifinals his senior year. Kelly averaged 23 points and 20 rebounds that season.

Of course, he went on to play quarterback at the University of Miami (Fla.), the Houston Gamblers of the USFL and the Buffalo Bills. The rest was history.

And Henry kept track of his star quarterback’s success every step of the way.

These two guys epitomize how close a high school coach and student-athlete can become. They went their separate ways, experienced their own successes and kept tabs on one another.

Jim Kelly is a nationally known and acclaimed sports figure.

Terry Henry can remember when he was a multi-sport standout at tiny East Brady High School — just like he was. Henry graduated from East Brady in 1967, only a few years before Kelly.

Their relationship is unique. Their talents are unquestioned. Their bond is forever.

At 11 a.m. April 23 in Pittsburgh, they will enjoy another special moment together.

How fitting.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle