Center
No. 50
Syracuse
Strong, tough and durable Al Bemiller took over as the Bills' starting center and played all 14 games in his rookie season. He's an outstanding blocker who truly distinguished himself on pass protection, thus quickly earning the respect of Buffalo football fans.
In his college days at Syracuse, Al was All-East and was voted 'the college center with the best potential.'
"One of the three outstanding offensive line rookies playing shoulder to shoulder in 1961 for the Bills. The Bills expect Bemiller to become one of football's top centers. He's an exceptionally fine all-around blocker who excels in pass protection.
Bemiller was tutored as an All-East collegian by all-time pro great Jim Ringo. He figures to play in 1962 at 240 pounds, up fifteen from a year ago. Drafted seventh in 1960 as the 'college center with the best pro potential,' he beat out Dan McGrew, the 1960 AFL second-team all-star, early in spring camp to win the job."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program (War Memorial Stadium)
BILLY SHAW
Guard
No. 66
Georgia Tech
"A former All-American tackle at Georgia Tech, Shaw was switched to guard as a rookie last year and proved to be one of the outstanding linemen in the AFL. A native of Atlanta, he was the No. 2 draft pick of the Bills and was a regular almost from the day he reported to training camp.
Extremely fast, tough and mobile, Billy improved steadily during the season and became one of the league's finest stationary pass protection and 'play lead' blockers."
-1962 Fleer No. 16
"Another of the Bills' fabulous 1960 college draft selections. Picked number two, Shaw was one of seven rookie starters on offense during the 1961 season.
He's big, fast and strong and gets out fast to lead plays. Shaw is the second fastest on the team going down under punts.
He made the greater portion of his college All-America reputation on defense. He may be switched to defensive end in 1962 if Lou Saban can 'come up with an adequate offensive guard replacement.'
Shaw is considered an outstanding prospect for future All-AFL selection wherever he plays."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
TOM DAY
Guard
No. 60
North Carolina A & T
"Joined the Bills early in the 1961 campaign. Tom is fast and highly mobile for his 250-pound frame. He can play either defensive tackle without loss of effectiveness and puts one of the league's best rushes on a passer.
Tom is a highly articulate graduate of North Carolina A & T College."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
CHUCK MUELHAUPT
Guard
No. 78
Iowa State
Chuck played all 14 games last year and fortified Buffalo's offensive line for a second season.
In Game 10 of the season against the Texans at the Cotton Bowl, he achieved rare recognition for a guard. With Buffalo holding a 23-20 lead in the fourth quarter, Chuck was playing on special teams when he recovered a Dallas fumble in the end zone for an insurance touchdown in what would be a 30-20 Buffalo win.
STEW BARBER
Offensive Tackle
No. 77
Penn State
1962
Although drafted as an offensive tackle, Stew more than ably stepped in as a starting linebacker. He made three interceptions during the year, the most notable coming in Game 11 of the season at Denver. With Buffalo holding on to a 16-10 fourth-quarter lead, Stew returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown to help the Bills hold off the Broncos for a 23-10 win.
"At 22 years old, he was the baby of the 1961 Bills, the only rookie to crack the starting defensive unit. He was tried as an offensive guard before taking at right outside linebacker. He's one of the hardest and most authoritative tacklers in pro football. He overcame, by hard work and perseverance, an early-season tendency to commit too quickly, due to a lack of experience.
Experts predict a bright future for Barber. All-East at Penn State, he was drafted No. 4 by the Bills, No. 2 by the Cowboys."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
HAROLD OLSON
Offensive Tackle
No. 74
Clemson
For a second year, the 250-pound youngster out of Clemson fortified an improving Buffalo offensive line. Coach Saban has no worries about Chuck's reliability at his tackle position.
As a collegian, Harold clearly demonstrated his ability to block for Tiger passers.
"One of the Bills' top draft choices of 1960. Olson decided to follow pro football as a career after training camp had begun. He had a comparatively rough rookie season because of that, although he was a starter all the way through.
Olson was installed permanently as the right-side offensive tackle, his preferred position, in 1961. He reported 15 pounds under his 1960 playing weight and was faster and more mobile as a result. His game-to-game improvement as a blocker was noticeable. By the end of the season, Olson was rated as one of the AFL's top offensive tackles.
He was a 1959 All-America and All-Atlantic Coast Conference. He was a consensus selection of pro scouts as the outstanding offensive tackle prospect in the intercollegiate ranks. Olson played in the Sugar, Bluebonnet, Blue-Gray, All-American and Senior Bowl Games during his dazzling career at Clemson."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
KEN RICE
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Auburn
"As a newcomer, Ken Rice of the Buffalo Bills took his place among the fine tackles in pro football. And he'll get better."
-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football
"Football sages predict that Kenny will develop into the best offensive lineman in the league. Fast and agile despite his bulk, this former All-American from Auburn proved a rookie find last year. Kenny was named to the second AFL team on offense.
He proved his versatility by running back a couple of kickoffs for the Bills last year."
-1962 Fleer No. 17
GEORGE FLINT
Offensive Tackle
No. 73
Arizona State
"A three-year All-Border Conference selection at Arizona State. Pro clubs did not dispute his ability. His size, however, appeared to be a drawback to his pro career.
Weights and isometric exercises jumped his college playing weight of 206 pounds to 246 pounds during the off-season. The Bills decided to take a look and Lou Saban liked what he saw from the first day of training camp. The added weight did not detract from his speed. It added strength instead.
A fine blocker, Flint is considered a definite offensive line prospect. He was an intercollegiate shotput champion at Arizona State."
-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium
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