Buffalo Bills (AAFC)

The Buffalo Bills were an American football team that played in the All-America Football Conference ( AAFC ) and was located in Buffalo, New York.

Foundation

In 1944 was founded as a rival league to the National Football League ( NFL), the AAFC to life. Founded as the league by a sports journalist from Chicago who could gather many interested investors in Football around. The League awarded a total of eight franchises. Among the investors was Sam Cordovano, who acquired a franchise and the team settled in Buffalo and initially named as the Buffalo Bisons. The team was renamed in 1947 after the legendary Bison Hunter Buffalo Bill. By 1949, the team was coached by Red Dawson. During the season 1949 he was replaced by Clem Crowe. The Bills played at War Memorial Stadium.

Achievements

The Bisons won in their first game in 1946, only three of 14 games. The next season was much better for the Bills. The team won eight games. Only on 13 Matchday they lost to the New York Yankees and thus enabled the Yankees to move into the AAFC - final. With a victory, the Bills would have had good chances for a playoff participation.

In 1948 play-off games were introduced in the AAFC. The Bills have won seven of their 14 games and could even their play-off game against the Baltimore Colts with 28:17 win. The quarterback of the Bills, George Ratterman knocking three touchdown passes. In the AAFC - final the Bills were then chance before 23,000 spectators. The running back of the Cleveland Browns, the final opponent of the Bill, Marion Motley was able to score three touchdowns and contributed significantly to 49:7 victory of his team.

The 1949 season started poorly to the Bills. Of the first six games, only one could be made ​​. Dawson had to vacate his chair coach and his successor Crowe managed to win four of the next six games. In the play-offs the Bills then failed due to the eventual champions Cleveland Browns at 31:21. The quarterback of the Browns Otto Graham always managed to bring into play his wide receiver Mac Speedie and Dante Lavelli. Although the Bills could make the game a long time balanced, they were ultimately a loser from the square. After the 1949 season, the Bills had, like the entire league, set the play mode due to financial problems. A planned takeover of the team in the NFL failed.

Well-known players

• Chet Mutryn
• Al Baldwin