CARL CHARON
Safety
No. 43
Michigan State
"Another promising rookie from Michigan State. He's considered an outstanding defensive halfback prospect despite the fact Charon concentrated on defense only during his senior college season. He was an outstanding running back during his sophomore and junior years. A three-sport star at Michigan State, Charon is fast and extremely strong. His lack of height does not seem to be a deterrent."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program (War Memorial Stadium)
RAY ABRUZZESE
Safety
No. 46
Alabama
"Tough and talented defensive halfback for 1961 national champion University of Alabama. He intercepted four passes for the Crimson Tide in '61 and made 56 individual tackles.
Shifted to offense by Bills' coach Lou Saban, he has the speed and power to do a big job despite the competition and a lack of experience. Used as a wild card substitute, he's also considered an excellent punt return man."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
BILLY ATKINS
Safety-Kicker
No. 20
Auburn
"The man who gets the biggest 'boot' out of the game is Billy Atkins, the Millport (Alabama) mechanic who established AFL records in 1961 with 84 punts and a 45 per punt average. He led pass interceptors (10) last year and dashed for 87 yards on two running attempts from a fake kick formation.
Billy was an All-Pro selection as a safetyman."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Billy Atkins of the Buffalo Bills led the AFL in two departments in 1961- interceptions, with 11, and punting, with a 45-yard average. The former Forty-Niner and Auburn star had his greatest season in pro ball."
-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football
"An All-Southeastern Conference halfback in college, this Birmingham, Alabama speedster switched to defense in the pros and he was rewarded last year by making the second All-Pro team in the AFL. A brilliant kicker, Bill led all the Bills' punters in 1961 with a 45.0 yard average for 84 kicks.
A star in the East-West and College All-Star contests after graduating in 1957, Atkins joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. Two years later he joined the Bills."
-1962 Fleer No. 18
Safety-Kicker
No. 20
Auburn
"The man who gets the biggest 'boot' out of the game is Billy Atkins, the Millport (Alabama) mechanic who established AFL records in 1961 with 84 punts and a 45 per punt average. He led pass interceptors (10) last year and dashed for 87 yards on two running attempts from a fake kick formation.
Billy was an All-Pro selection as a safetyman."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Billy Atkins of the Buffalo Bills led the AFL in two departments in 1961- interceptions, with 11, and punting, with a 45-yard average. The former Forty-Niner and Auburn star had his greatest season in pro ball."
-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football
"An All-Southeastern Conference halfback in college, this Birmingham, Alabama speedster switched to defense in the pros and he was rewarded last year by making the second All-Pro team in the AFL. A brilliant kicker, Bill led all the Bills' punters in 1961 with a 45.0 yard average for 84 kicks.
A star in the East-West and College All-Star contests after graduating in 1957, Atkins joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. Two years later he joined the Bills."
-1962 Fleer No. 18
WAYNE CROW
Safety-Punter
No. 22
California
Wayne was used by Oakland mostly as a defensive back as a rookie in 1960 and on offense as a halfback last year, serving as the Raiders' punter both seasons. His 72-yard punt in 1960 was the AFL's longest that season, and in 1961 he averaged 41.5 yards on 63 punts, his longest 77 yards. Wayne's 490 yards rushing in '61 placed him eighth in the AFL.
In his college career at California, Wayne was both a quarterback and a halfback.
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