Buffalo Bills in History

Events in Sport

  • 1948-12-19 Cleveland Browns beats Buffalo Bills 49-7 in AAFC championship game
  • 1959-10-28 American Football League awards Buffalo Bills franchise to Ralph C Wilson
  • 1960-11-27 Trailing 38-7 late in 3rd quarter, Buffalo Bills tie Broncos at 38-38
  • 1961-08-08 Ham Tigercats (CFL) beat Buff Bills (NFL) 38-21 in Hamilton, Ontario

Sports History

1964-11-01 Houston Oilers quarterback George Blanda attempts an AFL record 68 passes (37 completions) in 24-10 loss v Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium

  • 1964-12-26 AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 20-7; defending champions can't overcome 1st quarter injury to star RB Keith Lincoln
  • 1965-12-26 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium San Diego: Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 23-0; repeat previous year's win over SD

5th AFL All Star Game

1966-01-15 5th AFL All Star Game, Rice Stadium, Houston: All-Stars beat Buffalo Bills, 30-19: MVPs: Joe Namath, NY Jets, QB; Frank Buncom, LA Chargers, LB

  • 1967-01-01 AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 31-7; QB Len Dawson passes for 2 TDs, RB Mike Garrett runs for 2 TDs
  • 1968-11-03 New York Jets kicker Jim Turner lands 6 field goals and an extra point to beat Buffalo Bills, 25-21 at Shea Stadium

O.J. Simpson First Pick

1969-01-28 1969 NFL Draft: O.J. Simpson from USC first pick by Buffalo Bills

  • 1972-02-01 1972 NFL Draft: Walt Patulski from University of Notre Dame first pick by Buffalo Bills
  • 1973-01-21 23rd NFL Pro Bowl, Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas: AFC beats NFC, 33-28; MVP: O. J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, RB
  • 1973-11-04 New Orleans Saints 1st shutout victory, 13-0 vs Buffalo Bills
  • 1979-05-03 1979 NFL Draft: Tom Cousineau from Ohio State first pick by Buffalo Bills
  • 1985-04-30 NFL Draft: Virginia Tech defensive end Bruce Smith first pick by Buffalo Bills
  • 1986-08-18 Jim Kelly signs with NFL Buffalo Bills ($75 million for 5 years)
  • 1988-02-07 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 15-6; MVP: Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills, DE
  • 1989-01-08 AFC Championship, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati: Cincinnati Bengals beat Buffalo Bills, 21-10
  • 1990-11-26 Buffalo Bills become 6th 1st place NFL team to lose on same weekend
  • 1991-01-20 AFC Championship, Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY: Buffalo Bills beat Los Angeles Raiders, 51-3
  • 1991-01-27 Super Bowl XXV, Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL: New York Giants beat Buffalo Bills, 20-19; MVP: Ottis Anderson, NY Giants, RB
  • 1991-02-03 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 23-21; MVP: Jim Kelly, Buffalo Bills, QB
  • 1991-07-28 Buffalo Bills beat Philadelphia Eagles, 17-13 in American Bowl in Wembley

Bills Defeat Broncos

1992-01-12 AFC Championship, Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY: Buffalo Bills beat Denver Broncos, 10-7

  • 1992-01-26 Super Bowl XXVI, Metrodome, Minneapolis, MI: Washington Redskins beat Buffalo Bills, 37-24; MVP: Mark Rypien, Washington, QB
  • 1993-01-03 "The Comeback", QB Frank Reich leads Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit, to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game, the greatest comeback ever in NFL history
  • 1993-01-17 AFC Championship, Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami: Buffalo Bills beat Miami Dolphins, 29-10
  • 1993-01-31 Super Bowl XXVII, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA: Dallas Cowboys beat Buffalo Bills, 52-17; MVP: Troy Aikman, Dallas, QB
  • 1993-02-07 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 23-20; MVP: Steve Tasker, Buffalo Bills, WR
  • 1994-01-23 AFC Championship, Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY: Buffalo Bills beat Kansas City Chiefs, 30-13

Super Bowl XXVIII

1994-01-30 Super Bowl XXVIII, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA: Dallas Cowboys beat Buffalo Bills, 30-13; MVP: Emmitt Smith, Dallas, RB

  • 1997-12-31 72 year-old Marv Levy retires as coach of the NFL Buffalo Bills after 12 seasons, including 4 consecutive losing Super Bowl appearances
  • 2000-01-08 "Music City Miracle", in AFC Wild Card Playoff, Tennessee Titans defeat Buffalo Bills 22-16 in last 16 seconds with Kevin Dyson, running length of the field for a game-winning touchdown

Sports History

2004-09-19 NFL Oakland Raider wide receiver Jerry Rice ends NFL streak of 274 consecutive games with a reception in a 13-10 victory over Buffalo Bills [1]

Patriots Winning Streak

2004-10-03 New England Patriots win their 18th consecutive NFL game, beating Buffalo Bills, 31-17 at Ralph Wilson Stadium; Tom Brady 17-for-30 for 298 yards & 2 TDs

  • 2017-01-29 NFL Pro Bowl, Orlando, FL: AFC beats NFC, 20-13; MVPs: Travis Kelce, KC Chiefs, TE; Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills, LB
  • 2021-01-24 AFC Championship, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 38-24
  • 2023-01-02 Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapses in cardiac arrest and is revived by CPR on the field in televised NFL game against the Bengals in Cincinnati

Birthdays in Sport

  • 1931-11-21 Jim Ringo, American Pro Football HOF center (7 × First-team All-Pro; 10 × Pro Bowl; Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Buffalo Bills 1976–77), born in Orange, New Jersey (d. 2007)
  • 1932-04-27 Chuck Knox, American football coach (LA Rams, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks; AP NFL Coach of the Year 1973, 80, 84), born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania (d. 2018)
  • 1933-02-16 Elbert Dubenion, American football wide receiver and running back (AFL All Star 1964; Buffalo Bills), born in Griffin, Georgia (d. 2019)
  • 1936-07-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), born in Tiffin, Ohio (d. 2020)
  • 1937-02-04 Harry Jacobs, American football linebacker (AFL All Star 1965, 69; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills; Boston Patriots, NO Saints), born in Canton, Illinois (d. 2021)
  • 1938-05-09 Walt Corey, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1962, 66; AFL All-Star 1963; Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs) and coach (KC Chiefs, Buffalo Bills), born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (d. 2022)
  • 1939-11-13 Charley Ferguson, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965; AFL C'ship 1964, 65; Buffalo Bills), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1941-04-10 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), born in Vonore, Tennessee (d. 2020)
  • 1941-07-17 Daryle Lamonica, American football quarterback (Pro Bowl 1970, 72; AFL MVP 1967, 69; Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills), born in Fresno, California (d. 2022)
  • 1945-04-13 Bob Kalsu, American NFL football player, 1968 (Buffalo Bills), and US Army officer, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (d. 1970)
  • 1945-09-10 Marlin Briscoe, American College Football HOF quarterback/wide receiver (Uni Nebraska–Omaha; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; Pro Bowl 1970 Buffalo Bills), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 2022)

O.J. Simpson (1947-2024)

1947-07-09 American College/Pro Football HOF running back (Heisman Trophy 1968 USC; NFL MVP 1973; 5 × First-team All-Pro & Pro Bowl; Buffalo Bills), broadcaster, and actor; found responsible Brown/Goldman deaths 1994, born in San Francisco, California [1]

  • 1950-03-01 Nick Mike-Mayer, American NFL and USFL football placekicker, 1972-88 (Pro Bowl 1973; Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills), born in Bologna, Italy
  • 1952-04-12 Reuben Gant, American professional football player (Buffalo Bills), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • 1960-02-14 Jim Kelly, American Pro Football HOF quarterback (First-team All-Pro 1991; 5 × Pro Bowl; NFL passing TD leader 1991; NFL passer rating leader 1990; Buffalo Bills), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 1960-07-17 Scott Norwood, American NFL kicker (Buffalo Bills-Super Bowl XXV goat), born in Alexandria, Virginia
  • 1961-01-13 Kent Hull, American football center (First-team All-Pro 1990, 91; Pro Bowl 1988, 89, 90; Buffalo Bills), born in Pontotoc, Mississippi (d. 2011)
  • 1961-04-01 Jim Jeffcoat, American NFL defensive end (Super Bowl 1992, 93 Dallas Cowboys) and coach (Dallas Cowboys DL 1998-2004), born in Long Branch, New Jersey
  • 1961-12-04 Frank Reich, American NFL quarterback (Buffalo Bills) and coach (Indianapolis Colts 2018-20), born in Freeport, New York
  • 1962-04-10 Steve Tasker, American NFL wide receiver, broadcaster (Buffalo Bills, 7-time Pro Bowl), born in Smith Center, Kansas

Doug Flutie (61 years old)

1962-10-23 American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1984, Boston College; Grey Cup MVP 1992, 96, 97; Pro Bowl 1998, Buffalo Bills), born in Manchester, Maryland

  • 1963-06-18 Bruce Smith, American College-Pro Football HOF defensive end (Virginia Tech; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1990, 96; 8×First-team All-Pro; 11×Pro Bowl; Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins), born in Norfolk, Virginia
  • 1963-11-03 Howard Ballard, American NFL tackle (Pro Bowl 1992-93, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks), born in Ashland, Alabama
  • 1964-01-29 Andre Reed, American Pro Football HOF wide receiver (7 x Pro Bowl; Buffalo Bills), born in Allentown, Pennsylvania
  • 1965-08-25 Cornelius Bennett, American NFL linebacker (Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1965-08-25 Nate Odomes, NFL cornerback, 1987-96, 2X Pro Bowl (Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks), born in Columbus, Georgia
  • 1965-10-11 Chris Spielman, American NFL linebacker (Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills), born in Canton, Ohio
  • 1966-05-11 Chris Mohr, NFL punter (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1966-05-16 Thurman Thomas, American College/Pro Football HOF running back (Oklahoma State Uni; NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1991; First-team All-Pro 1990, 91; 5 x Pro Bowl; Buffalo Bills), born in Houston, Texas
  • 1967-11-13 Steve Christie, NFL kicker (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1967-12-29 Henry Jones, American football Safety (Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings), born in St. Louis, Missouri
  • 1968-02-29 Bryce Paup, American football linebacker (First-team All-Pro & NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1995; Pro Bowl 1994–97; GB Packers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings), born in Jefferson, Iowa
  • 1968-03-23 Mark Maddox, linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1968-04-13 Ted Washington, American NFL nose tackle (Buffalo Bills), born in Tampa, Florida
  • 1968-06-01 Larry Centers, American NFL fullback (Pro Bowl 1995, 96, 2001; All-Pro 1996; Super Bowl 2003; Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, NE Patriots), born in Tyler, Texas
  • 1968-12-12 Kurt Schulz, American football safety (Buffalo Bills), born in Wenatchee, Washington
  • 1969-03-11 John Fina, NFL offensive tackle (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1969-09-18 Robert Coons, American NFL tight end (Buffalo Bills), born in Brea, California
  • 1969-11-16 Mike Devlin, American NFL guard/center (Buffalo Bills, Cardinals), born in Blacksburg, Virginia
  • 1970-01-05 James Patton, American NFL defensive end (Buffalo Bills), born in Brazoria County, Texas
  • 1970-02-13 Ruben Brown, NFL guard (Buffalo Bills), born in Englewood, New Jersey
  • 1970-02-27 David White, American NFL linebacker (Buffalo Bills), born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
  • 1970-04-13 Monty Brown, American professional wrestler and NFL linebacker (Buffalo Bills), born in Saginaw, Michigan
  • 1970-05-01 Alex Van Pelt, American NFL quarterback (Buffalo Bills) and QB coach ; GB Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 1970-05-30 Sam Rogers, NFL linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1970-12-05 Thomas Smith, American NFL cornerback (Buffalo Bills), born in Gates, North Carolina
  • 1971-02-14 Lonnie Johnson, American NFL tight end (Buffalo Bills), born in Mobile, Alabama
  • 1971-04-15 Tim Tindale, NFL running back (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1971-04-20 Yonel Jourdain, American NFL running back and kick returner (Buffalo Bills), born in Brooklyn, New York
  • 1971-05-01 Ethan Albright, American NFL long-snapper (Pro Bowl 2007; Washington Redskins), born in Greensboro, North Carolina
  • 1971-06-08 Tom Nutten, CFL/NFL centers (Hamilton Tiger Cats, Buffalo Bills)
  • 1971-09-14 Mario Henry, American NFL wide receiver (Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons), born in Erie, Pennsylvania
  • 1971-10-10 Corey Louchiey, American NFL offensive tackle (Buffalo Bills), born in Greenville, South Carolina
  • 1971-11-04 Russell Copeland, American NFL wide receiver (Buffalo Bills), born in Tupelo, Mississippi
  • 1971-11-24 Tony Cline, NFL tight end (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1972-03-14 Antowain Smith, American NFL running back (Buffalo Bills), born in Millbrook, Alabama
  • 1972-04-16 Jim Ballard, American NFL & WLAF quarterback (Scottish Claymores, Buffalo Bills), born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
  • 1972-05-07 John Holecek, NFL linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1972-05-23 Rene Ingoglia, running back (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1972-06-07 Jeff Burris, NFL cornerback/punt returner (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1972-08-25 Marlo Perry, NFL linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1972-10-24 Pat Williams, American football defensive tackle (Buffalo Bills), born in Monroe, Louisiana
  • 1973-02-17 Raymond Jackson, NFL defensive back (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1973-03-18 Marlon Kerner, NFL cornerback (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1973-05-17 Jay Riemersma, tight end (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1973-06-05 Sean Moran, American NFL defensive end (Buffalo Bills), born in Aurora, Colorado
  • 1974-01-17 Marcus Spriggs, American offensive tackle (Buffalo Bills), born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
  • 1974-11-30 Marcellus Wiley, defensive end (Buffalo Bills)
  • 1977-09-01 Aaron Schobel, American football defensive end (Pro Bowl 2006, 07; Buffalo Bills), born in Harris County, Texas
  • 1978-11-07 Coy Wire, American NFL football player (Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons), and TV sports broadcaster (CNN), born in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
  • 1983-10-30 Trent Edwards, American football player (Buffalo Bills), born in Los Gatos, California
  • 1990-09-08 Matt Barkley, American NFL football quarterback (Buffalo Bills), born in Newport Beach, California
  • 1993-11-29 Stefon Diggs, American NFL football wide receiver, 2015-present (Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills), born in Alexandria, Virginia

Weddings in Sport

  • 1996-05-18 NFL Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (36) weds former marketing director Jill Waggoner (27) at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in suburban Buffalo

Deaths in Sport

  • 1970-07-21 Bob Kalsu, American NFL football player, 1968 (Buffalo Bills), and US Army officer, killed in action in Vietnam at 25
  • 2007-11-19 Jim Ringo, American Pro Football HOF center (7 × First-team All-Pro; 10 × Pro Bowl; Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Buffalo Bills 1976–77), dies at 75
  • 2011-10-18 Kent Hull, American football center (First-team All-Pro 1990, 91; Pro Bowl 1988, 89, 90; Buffalo Bills), dies from chronic liver disease at 50
  • 2018-05-12 Chuck Knox, American football coach (LA Rams, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks; AP NFL Coach of the Year 1973, 80, 84), dies of dementia at 86
  • 2019-12-26 Elbert Dubenion, American football wide receiver, running back (AFL All Star 1964; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills), dies from complications related to Parkinson's disease at 86
  • 2020-03-25 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), dies from heart complications at 78
  • 2020-06-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), dies at 83
  • 2021-12-17 Harry Jacobs, American football linebacker (AFL All Star 1965, 69; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills; Boston Patriots, NO Saints), dies at 84
  • 2022-04-21 Daryle Lamonica, American football quarterback (Pro Bowl 1970, 72; AFL MVP 1967, 69; Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills), dies at 80
  • 2022-06-27 Marlin Briscoe, American College Football HOF quarterback/wide receiver (Uni Nebraska–Omaha; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; Pro Bowl 1970 Buffalo Bills), dies of pneumonia at 76
  • 2022-10-23 Walt Corey, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1962, 66; AFL All-Star 1963; Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs) and coach (KC Chiefs, Buffalo Bills), dies at 84
  • 2023-02-14 Charley Ferguson, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965; AFL C'ship 1964, 65; Buffalo Bills), dies at 83