BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A woman seeking $200,000 from Buffalo Bills star Jim Kelly said Monday the quarterback threw beer-filled balloons at her during a 1987 picnic.
Marlene Edbauer, 40, of Clarence, testified at a civil trial before city Judge Michael Broderick.
She said Kelly, apparently drunk, appeared elated that a third balloon he threw at her broke a plastic drinking cup she had at her mouth.
'I saw Jim jumping up and down, saying 'I got her,'' Edbauer said.
Edbauer has a brought a $200,000 civil suit against Kelly, the NFL's highest-paid quarterback, claiming injuries she suffered at the 1987 picnic sponsored by a bar forced her to undergo a root canal.
She is also seeking damages from the bar, which has since gone out of business.
Edbauer said Kelly threw three beer-filled balloons at her, striking her in the chest, back and mouth at the Aug. 16 picnic. She testified Kelly hit a friend of hers in the back after the other woman spurned the football player's advances.
Kelly did not attend the proceedings Monday, but will testify Tuesday, according to his lawyer, Vincent Tobia.
Tobia, also the Bills general counsel, told the judge Kelly 'hit no one' with liquid-filled balloons, but was playing with water balloons with some children at the picnic.
Tobia said Edbauer had long had problems with her teeth, and exaggerated dental problems she had in the summer of 1987.
Edbauer tesitified several of her teeth were capped following an automobile accident in the late 1970s. She also admitted she had a shoplifting charge dismissed in 1986 and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in another store incident because she exchanged merchandise without the permission of store employees.
Kelly recently signed a 7-year contract extension with the Bills worth an estimated $20 million.
