NFL: All-Time Best Players of Buffalo Bills in Their Franchise History
Buffalo Bills' all-time best players that helped them become the only team in the NFL to appear four consecutive Superbowls, according to a recently published article.
A Glimpse of Buffalo Bill's History
The Buffalo Bills was once a part of the then American Football League in 1959. They are the seventh team to have a franchise in the league. In 1970 they joined the National Football League as a result of the merger of AFL and NFL.
At that time, the Buffalo Bills was the only team to play their home games in the state of New York. They also conduct summer training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York. The team has also won major league professional leagues.
Additionally, they are the only NFL team until today to appear four consecutive Superbowls. They were in their peak of success in the 1990s with Marv Levy as their head coach but despite this, they failed to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
One of the essential keys to the team's success is the quality of players that it has. Here are some of the all-time best players in the Buffalo Bill's that helped the franchise made a name in the NFL:
1. Jim Kelly
It is undeniable that Jim Kelly was the best quarterback of the team. He was a native from Pennsylvania and was selected by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 1983 draft. He also played for a short period of time in the United States Football League before he returned again to the Bills.
He had recorded 13, 512 yards and 98 touchdowns as a Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, he had recorded 35,467 yards 237 touchdowns during his stay in the Buffalo. Both of these are the most in franchise history.
Additionally, because of his big contribution to the team, he was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, and his jersey number 12 has been retired by the Buffalo Bills.
2. Bruce Smith
He also played under Levy and has witnessed as well on how the team reached into four Superbowls. The Bills selected him as the first overall pick during the 1985 draft.
He played 15 seasons in the team and had achieved a lot. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler and was also selected eight times as part of the First-team All-Pro. Additionally, he was also named twice as NFL Defensive player. He became a Hall of Famer in 2009.
3. O.J. Simpson
He is one of the greatest running back of the Buffalo Bills. The team selected him as the number one pick from the University of Southern Carolina. He played nine seasons and the team and just like the other previously mentioned players, he also did achieve a lot.
He became part of the Pro Bowls six times and selected five times in All-Pro. During was also the first player to have recorded 2,000 yards just in one season. Additionally, he became part Hall of Fame in 1985.
4. Andre Reed
He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1985 to 1999. He was selected during the late-round draft pick but proved himself to be one of the team's choices. In his season under the Buffalo Bills, he was named seven times for Pro Bowl and has recorded 841 catches, 13,095 yards, and 86 touchdowns.