Buffalo Bills History

The Buffalo Bills franchise was awarded to Ralph C. Wilson in 1959 as the seventh team to be admitted to the American Football League.

The Bills first winning season came in 1962 when they posted a 7-6-1 record, led by Hall of Fame lineman Billy Shaw. In 1963 the Bills were tied for the A.F.L. Eastern Division crown, and played their first postseason game against the Boston Patriots.

In 1964, the Bills won their division and defeated the San Diego Chargers in the A.F.L. championship game behind star wide receiver Elbert Dubenion.

In 1965 the Bills defeated the Chargers again for the A.F.L. championship behind quarterback, Jack Kemp, who was named the A.F.L. Most Valuable Player. Head coach, Lou Saban, won A.F.L. Coach of the Year and left after the 1965 season.

Buffalo just missed playing in the first Super Bowl by losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the A.F.L. title game in 1966. The Bills then started a skid that saw the team win only 13 games while losing 55.

In 1969, the Bills secured the number one draft pick and selected Heisman Trophy winner, O. J. Simpson. Coach Lou Saban returned in 1972 and utilized his Hall of Fame running back to the fullest extent making the Bills a competitive team.

In 1973, O. J. Simpson set the record for most rushing yards in a season with 2,003 total yards. The nickname “The Electric Company” was given to the Bills based on running back O.J. Simpson who was called the “Juice”. The “Electric Company” was the offensive line which provided the electricity for the “Juice”.

After Saban departed in 1976, the Bills sank to the bottom of the division, but in 1986, Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy took over and transformed the Bills into a winning team again.

Levy had a young group of talent, like Hall of Famers Jim Kelly at quarterback and Thurman Thomas at running back. The Bills had a great defense, led by defensive tackle Bruce Smith and linebacker Darryl Talley.

The Bills had one of the most dangerous and exciting teams in the 1990′s. Starting in 1988, the Bills won five A.F.C. Eastern crowns in six years and became the only team in the history of the N.F.L. to play in four straight Super Bowls.

In 1990, the Bills steam rolled through the season with a 13-3 record. In the playoffs, the Bills beat the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Raiders to advance to their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXV, against the New York Giants and lost 20-19 after kicker Scott Norwood missed a 47 yard field goal attempt that sailed wide right with only seven seconds remaining.

The Bills steam rolled through the 1991 season with a 13-3 record. Running back Thurman Thomas won the Offensive Player of the Year award, and reached their second straight Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXVI against the Washington Redskins. The Bills lost 37-24.

In 1992, the Bills reached the playoffs without their star quarterback, Jim Kelly, who was injured in the final game of the season. In the wild card game against the Houston Oilers, the Bills were down 35-3 early in the 3rd quarter. The Bills then started an historical comeback that saw them tie the Oilers and force an overtime. Kicker Steve Christie kicked the game winning field goal to give the Bills the victory in the biggest comeback in NFL history.

The Bills then defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to reach Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys led by running back Emmitt Smith and quarterback Troy Aikman. The Bills lost 52-17.

The Bills won the AFC East in 1993 and again defeated the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs to advance to Super Bowl XXXVIII were they would lose again to the Dallas Cowboys 30-13.

Marv Levy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Jim Kelly was inducted in 2002 and Thurman Thomas was inducted in 2007. The Bills are once again on the rise with players such as strong safety, Donte Whitner, wide receiver Lee Evans and quarterback J.P. Loseman.