I have never been to Buffalo or New York in general. I have only been to Bills Cardinals games in Arizona over the years with my one of my best friends who’s from Buffalo and a die hard Bills fan. Why would I want to write a biography on the Bills? What inspired me to do so started back in 2017 and involved a game between the Bengals and Ravens. The Bills have already won their final game against the Dolphins to finish what matches their best record of the century to that point (other seasons were 2004 and 2014). Difference in this 9-7 campaign is if the Bengals can pull the upset in Baltimore the Bills will be going to the postseason for the first time since the 1999 season (which also was the longest playoff drought in the four major sports at 18 years). Things looked dire for the Bengals having a 4th and 12 at the Ravens 49 down 27-24 with 53 seconds remaining. To add to the unlikelihood of something great occurring the Ravens had the 4th ranked defense that season and the Bengals weren’t an offensive juggernaut (ranked 21st). But Bengals Quarterback Andy Dalton would find receiver Tyler Boyd on an out pattern for the first down then Boyd would make an incredible run after the catch all the way to the end zone for the game winning touchdown. The Bills players watching from the visitors locker room in Miami went crazy with elation. The Bills Mafia (what an awesome name for a fan base) went berserk. The Bills fans donated 415,000 to Andy & his wife Jordan’s charity for ill children in Cincinnati and Dalton’s home town of Fort Worth Texas.
Who does that? It inspired me to do some digging into Bills Mafia and into the history of the Bills. What I have discovered is this is the most fascinating American sports franchise in the four major sports. From the electric company to Allen town. We will take a dive into how it began and where we are today. But by the end of it even if you aren’t a football fan or a Bills fan you will agree that this is one of the most fascinating American Sports Stories.
Pre AFL Bills
The Bills came into existence as one founding teams in the AFL (American Football League a rival to the NFL or National Football League) in 1960. The Bills however were not the original professional football team to play in Buffalo. The first Buffalo professional football team was the Buffalo All Stars. The All Stars formed in 1915 and played in the New York Pro Football League. The 1915 Buffalo All Stars would only play one game losing 69-0 to the Detroit Heralds. Their coach and star player would be then 17 year old Barney Lepper. The Buffalo All Star team would fully assemble in 1917 with the help from Eugene F Dooley who was the coach and quarterback of the Buffalo All Stars. The 1917 Buffalo All Stars (or also known as the All-Buffalo) would go 4-6-2 in their first full season. The Buffalo professional football team would go over several name and owner changes in the coming seasons. In 1918 they were the Niagaras. In 1919 they were the Monarchs. Then in 1920 they were called the Buffalo All Americas. Then the team name was changed to the Bisons in 1924 (because the name Buffalo Bisons is just ironic enough to work, more to come in regards to the name Buffalo Bisons). Then the Rangers in 1926, then the Bison again in 1927. Then didn’t play in 1928 for financial reasons. Then those mighty Bison returned again in 1929 before folding for good. The Buffalo professional football team would change owners and names more than supermodels change outfits at a fashion show. This was a turbulent time for the Buffalo professional football but it was a time that did exist and we must tip our cap to it and now it’s time to move onto the next chapter.
We now shift to 1938 where the third American Football League would be formed. Buffalo would be granted a team and they were named the Buffalo Indians. The league was a mess, many teams would forfeit games over the league’s existence. The organization of the league was financially sound but could never garner the interest of the rival NFL. After the Pearl Harbor attacks on the U.S on December 7th 1941 the league suspended operations and eventually folded up operations for good.
After the end of World War II in 1946 another rival league to the NFL was formed. The All-American Football league was formed and Buffalo again was awarded a team. The name was originally named the Buffalo Bisons. However, because the minor league baseball team and hockey team had the same name (I told you we would speak about the Buffalo Bisons name again!) after their inaugural season of 1946 Buffalo decided to change the name of their professional football team again (I know I know). They had many names to choose from but landed on the Bills, the name of a popular barbershop quartet, which formed their name in ode to old Frontiersman Buffalo Bill Cody (you may have heard of him). The name Bills came to fruition also due to the team at the time being owned by James Breuil of the Frontier Oil Company. The AAFC (or All American Football League) would merge with the NFL in 1950 and the Buffalo Bills would merge some of their existing team with the Cleveland Browns which would remain in the NFL simply as the Cleveland Browns. This may be the most random ironic fact in history of professional football. Any Bills or Browns fan would know exactly what I’m taking about. Another league that was not able to compete with the NFL that folded up operations after a short time. Yet again professional football in Buffalo was dead.
The Buffalo Bills are born
The 1950s would go by without a professional team in the greater Buffalo area. Time would go by quickly without much news of professional football in Buffalo until the late 1950’s when optimism of a professional football franchise would again arise. Lamar Hunt, son of oil tycoon H.L Hunt and avid sports enthusiast was attempting to purchase the Chicago Cardinals in 1959 and move them to his hometown Dallas Texas but was turned down at this opportunity (The Bidwell family decided to not sell the Cardinals and moved them to St. Louis and eventually Arizona). Since Lamar Hunt couldn’t buy a team and move them to his home state of Texas he decided to find other businessman who would assist in forming a new league with him so Hunt could still fulfill his dream of professional football in his hometown. With help from Bud Adams (Houston Oilers original owner remember them!) talks began over the new 8 team league. Now we enter Ralph Wilson……
Ralph Wilson was a manufacturing, television and radio entrepreneur from Detroit Michigan. In 1959 Ralph Wilson was a minority owner of the Detroit Lions but after hearing wind of a new league being created was interested in becoming an owner of one of the new franchises. Wilson initially attempted to have his expansion team in Miami because he did a lot of his business in Miami. But Wilson was shut down by the city of Miami due to the lack of support for the Miami Seahawks in the old AAFC league (the same league the old Buffalo Bisons/Bills resided in). So Wilson mulled over other options and the other cities that were available. The interested cities were Cincinnati, Atlanta, St. Louis, Louisville and Buffalo. In World War II, Wilson served aboard a minesweeper in the Mediterranean. Wilson was an executive officer to the ship’s captain and Buffalo’s own George E. Schaaf (whom Wilson developed a friendship with). Wilson would reach out to Schaaf and Liquor store owner and sports enthusiast Pat McGroder about the potential of a successful sports franchise in Buffalo. After attorney Paul Crotty and McGroder would help barter a sweetheart deal with full control of the venue and discounted rent on Buffalo’s Civic Stadium. On October 28th 1959, Ralph Wilson would send in a telegram with the five most important words in the history of Buffalo Sports to Lamar Hunt “count me in on Buffalo”. After winning the original AAFC name in a public contest made to the general public, the Buffalo Bills were again reborn.
The Early Years 1960-1963
The Bills were born as one of the original 8 AFL Teams with the Boston (now New England same difference) Patriots, New York Titans (now Jets), Houston Oilers (Now Tennessee Titans), Dallas Texans (Lamar Hunt’s team which moved just four years later to become the Kansas City Chiefs, boy is life ironic), Oakland (Now Vegas Baby, with Los Angeles and Oakland again sprinkled in the middle) Raiders, Los Angeles (then San Diego and now L.A again sort of) Chargers, and the only other team to keep it’s original city and name as it’s inauguration Denver Broncos. The Bills first head coach would be former Lions defensive coordinator and pioneer of the 4-3 defense (still used in today’s NFL) Buster Ramsey. The early years for the Bills was very underwhelming with some flashes on offense but a mediocre defense and not much star power. The Bills would finish in third and last place in their first two seasons of existence going 11-16-1 overall.
1961 was especially rough as the Bills would have a quarterback carousel. Sure you all remember former Washington Football great M.C Reynolds and former Lions legend Warren Rabb. If you didn’t remember them it’s okay, I didn’t either. Punter and cornerback Billy Atkins led the league in two categories. Interceptions 10 (yay) and punts 85 (boo). 1961 was an underwhelming year but the Bills would have an awesome draft. The Bills would draft four offensive lineman in their first seven picks and all four would go on to make All-NFL Teams. Their names were Ken Rice, Billy Shaw, Stew Barber and Albert Bellimer. However, at the end of 1961 the Bills decided to cut ties with coach Buster Ramsey and would give the job to former Patriots coach and former AAFC legend Lou Saban. The Bills in the offseason would claim off waivers from the Chargers future U.S Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp (yes the future politician Jack Kemp). Even though Kemp was one of the best Quarterbacks in the league and led the Chargers to back to back AFL Championship games the Chargers was out on Kemp after he broke his hand believing he would not be the same quarterback if he ever came back (spoiler alert the Chargers bet and bet wrong).
1962 would start off very turbulent for the Bills as they would lose their five games with the low point being a 41-21 drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Texans. Many at the time were questioning the hire of Lou Saban. Jack Kemp was still out with a broken hand and the quarterback play was not any better than 1961 but even worse with the combination of Warren Rabb and Al Darow having thrown 5 touchdowns and 16 interceptions (or more than 3 per game!). But something clicked beginning in Week 6. The Bills would crush the Chargers 35-10 and would run for over 300 yards in doing so. Then would defeat the Raiders 14-6 running for over 200 yards. The offensive line started to jell and the Bills realized that they didn’t even need to throw the ball to win. Run the ball and limit turnovers and control the clock would become the 1962 Bills Mantra. Jack Kemp would return from injury in a relief appearance for an ineffective Warren Rabb in the second half of a Week 12 10-6 win over the Oakland Raiders. The Bills would finish the year 7-1-1 over their final 8 games to finish with a winning record for the first time in club history. The Bills lead the league with 2,480 rushing yards and averaged 5 yards a carry. Jack Kemp was coming into form at the end of the season and appeared to be healthy. They found their quarterback, they found their identity. 1963 would be the year that could vault the Bills over the top to play in their first postseason and go for the first ever championship….
In 1963 the Bills would get off to another dreadful start beginning the season 0-3-1. Jack Kemp was ineffective and began splitting time with rookie Daryle LaMonica. The Bills would recoup in the second half and get to 7-6-1 for a first place tie with the Boston Patriots. The Bills even rallied in the final game ever played in the Polo Grounds beating the Jets 19-10 (Polo Grounds was more remembered for the baseball New York Giants, most memorable plays there the Willie Mays behind the should catch and the shot heard around the world). The Bills would have a one game playoff to get into the Championship game against the Boston Patriots…
But on a snowy day in Buffalo the Bills would snooze through the first half falling down 16-0 at halftime. Daryl Lamonica would find Elbert Dubenion for a 93 yard touchdown early in the third quarter and with the ensuing 2 point conversion (yes 2 point conversions existed in the old AFL) the Bills cut the lead to 8. But the Pats would score 10 points in the fourth quarter for a 26-8 defeat in a game that outside of a brief moment was never competitive. Deflating end to a disappointing season. However, in 1964 the band would come back together, the Bills would go for it again..
Redemption
For how dreadful 1962 and 1963 started 1964 could not have started any differently. The 1964 Bills came out with a chip on their shoulder. They would win their first three games by a combined score of 94-33. The Bills forced 10 turnovers in those games. They were up 31-0 on the Chiefs in Week 1, after the 1st Quarter!! Week 4 would be their first competitive game of the season but they would still hold on late for a 23-20 win over the Raiders. Then 5 more blowout wins to begin the season 9-0. The Bills would finish 12-2 and lead the league in points scored, total yards, yards per play and passing yards. They would also lead the league in points against, yards allowed and rushing yards allowed (only 65.5 yards a game which was ridiculous for the run heavy 1964 AFL). Jack Kemp would hold down the QB position throughout the season. It was his team and he led his Bills to the Championship game which was to be held in Buffalo. The opponent on the other side was the San Diego Chargers. The same Chargers who gave up on Jack Kemp. The same Chargers who won 51-10 over the Patriots in the previous Championship game…
The Chargers would get the ball first and score quickly on a four play 80 yard drive to go up early 7-0. The drive was spearheaded by Chargers running back Mike Lincoln who had 330 yards of total offense alone in the previous years championship game. Lincoln already had 58 yards early in this game and the Chargers would be moving the ball again on their second drive as they were looking to from a comfortable lead. The Bills fans were starting to have deja vu to 1963 against Boston. Then on a swing pass by Charger Quarterback Robin Tote to Lincoln the pass was blown up by Bills Linebacker Mike Stratton. The play was dubbed “the hit heard around the world.” The modern NFL play to correlate it to would be Sheldon Brown’s hit on Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL Divisional Playoffs. Lincoln would leave the game with broken ribs and not return. After the hit the game would flip as the Bills would begin to run the ball down the Chargers throat with running backs Cookie Gilchrist and Wray Carlton combining for almost 200 yards rushing. Carlton would score midway through the second quarter to give the Bills a 10-7 lead that would never be relinquished. The Bills would have long drive after long drive. The Bills would seal the game early in the fourth quarter on a Jack Kemp one yard QB sneak to go up 20-7. The only Chargers drive that would get into the red zone after the big hit in the first quarter was in the last two minutes when the Bills would have a goal line stand to secure their first championship. Fans stormed the field, the Bills have done it. Buffalo has their first ever Championship. The core is still there to boot, this could be the start of something special. A dynasty could be born.
1965 was not as dominant as 1964 but the Bills still would win the division comfortably with a 10-3-1 record. The Bills dropped a bit on offense to middle of the pack in most categories with the departure of running back Cookie Gilchrist hurting a once dominant but still solid running game, the story of the 1965 Bills was their defense. The defense was led by safety George Samies (picked up from the NFL Rams), corner Butch Byrd (4th round pick), and defensive tackle Tom Sestak (17th rounder who chose the AFL Bills over the NFL Lions). The 1965 Bills led the league with only four rushing touchdowns allowed and had 32 interceptions. Due to falling a tad from their 1964 perch though they would this time have to travel to San Diego to play for the Championship in a game dubbed the rematch! The Bills would take a lead early in the second quarter as AFL’s Most Valuable Player Jack Kemp would find receiver Ernie Warlick on an 18 yard dime on a seam route to go up 7-0. On the ensuing drive the Chargers would stall and have to punt which returner Butch Byrd would take 74 yards to the house to put Buffalo up 14-0. The route was on and the Bills defense would take over from there. The Chargers would only have 223 yards of offense, 2 turnovers and five sacks allowed, and would get shut out on their home field 23-0. The Bills would repeat as champs with a roster that would have five former released Chargers including the league and championship MVP Jack Kemp.
The game also had historic purposes. It was the first AFL game ever to be shown on color television (this was a big deal in 1965) The AFL was growing in popularity and there was talks that the AFL and NFL would play a championship game in the following season. This agreement would occur the following June. With this agreement it proved the new AFL unlike it’s predecessors was a success. The AFL is here to stay and their new two time Champions and potential Dynasty the Buffalo Bills was their headliner. The 1966 Bills were ready to win a third straight AFL Championship and earn an opportunity battle against the best the NFL has to offer and become the king of all of football. Fans couldn’t wait, the Bills were the talk of the league…
1966
Head coach Lou Saban would leave the Buffalo Bills for the University of Maryland. It was a shocking move as Saban would cite the reason as not having anything else to accomplish in pro football. It was one of the most arrogant and cocky moves ever to happen in sports history by a Championship winning head coach. I looked for a good correlation to this and could not find one (closest would be Jimmy Johnson leaving the Cowboys after two Super Bowls but that was because of tension with owner Jerry Jones and his departure was not completely voluntary). Saban would last one year at Maryland before coming back to the AFL with the Denver Broncos. Go ahead Bills Mafia and throw your hands up in confusion about that one. With Saban leaving the Bills promoted defensive coordinator Joe Collier to head coach. Why not he has lead the best defense in the league over the previous two seasons. The season would start rough losing their first two games including a 27-7 loss to the Chargers. But the Bills would crush the expansion Miami Dolphins (guess Miami changed their mind on a pro team eh) 58-24 in Week 3 and would recover to win 9 of their final twelve games to get into their third consecutive AFL Championship Game. On the other side was a new team. Lamar Hunt’s 12-2 Kansas City Chiefs whom the Bills split with in the regular season. The game would be in Buffalo even though the Chiefs had a better record. I did some research and could never find out why the Bills hosted this game but who cares it doesn’t matter. Bills Dudley Meredith fumbled the opening kickoff and the Chiefs would score to immediately to go up 7-0. The Bills would bounce back right away as Jack Kemp would find speedster Elbert Dubenion for a 69 yard score and the Bills would tie the score at 7, game on right? Well not really. Quarterback Len Dawson and the Chiefs would dominate the rest of the game. The Bills would only get 9 first downs for the game and turn the ball over 4 times. The Chiefs would win 31-7 in a game that many fans left for the exits early in the 4th quarter. The Chiefs would play in the first Super Bowl and not the Bills. It was supposed to be the Bills big moment but it fell apart at the worst time. 1967 would be another year, the window has not closed yet. The Bills can make it back, the defense is still intact. Jack Kemp is still in his prime.
Late 1960’s
1967 started off with a bang. The Bills came back from a 17-0 deficit to beat the Jets in Week 1 20-17. Fans and media alike were believing the 67 Bills would be the team to make it to the big game to show that they can play with the NFL. Then the wheels fell off, the offense couldn’t score. The defense would break down as the season came along. The Bills would finish 4-10. Not just their first losing season since 1961 but their worst season of all time. The window was closed, it was time to rebuild. In the 1968 preseason running back Wray Carlton was cut. Jack Kemp injured his knee in the preseason and missed the entire season. Joe Collier was fired after only 2 games. The Bills would fall to 1-12-1. A team that won two championships in a row and hosted the championship game just two years prior won one freaking game!!! The 1968 Bills failed to score more than 7 points in 7 of their 14 games. The 1968 Bills only scored 199 points total for the season. The 1968 Bills had a point differential of minus 168. How did all of this happen so quickly? The attendance dropped to under 28,000 for their home finale against the Chargers in a 21-6 loss. The city has tuned out, the Bills have become a joke, or maybe even worse than a joke, they have become irrelevant. The Bills need help, they need a new identity, the need a break. The Bills would get their break in the terms of a rule change….
We go back to 1966 when the NFL and AFL came to an agreement on a rule change to have an annual championship game. That was not the only stipulation of their agreement. Another part of the agreement was to have a common draft beginning in 1967 where players would be drafted by all teams in both leagues. The first pick in the draft would be awarded to the worst team in both leagues. In 1968 the Bills had the Worst record in both leagues barely beating the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (who finished 2-12). This means the Bills will have the first pick in the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft. The consensus best player in the 1969 draft was the Heisman Trophy winner from University of Southern California and one of the best prospects in years. A running back who would later be in the National News for reasons other than football, you might have heard of him before, his name is O.J Simpson.