Friday, August 29, 2014

1966 Profiles: Butch Byrd and Charley Warner

BUTCH BYRD
Cornerback
No. 42
Boston University
"When George 'Butch' Byrd joined the Bills out of Boston University, coach Lou Saban immediately planted him at right cornerback on defense. Byrd simply had to make it.
'There was no one else,' Saban now concedes. Butch soon demonstrated his ability in guarding pass receivers. He is large for a defensive back - 211 pounds - but sacrifices no speed and tackles shockingly hard.
His long punt return against San Diego broke open last year's championship game for the Bills."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"A member of one of the toughest pass defenses in professional football, Butch flagged down five enemy bombs last year. He led the league with an average return of 23.8 yards per interception.
Butch is ideal as a defensive back because of his great speed and ability to stick with elusive receivers."

-1966 Topps No. 20


CHARLEY WARNER
Cornerback-Kick Returner
No. 22
Prairie View
Charley's 32 kick returns in 1965 were second in the AFL, as were his 825 yards on kick returns. His two kicks returned for touchdowns were first in the league, as was his longest return of 102 yards. Charley also played in the AFL All-Star Game.
Ready to assume regular cornerback duty in 1966, Charley's five interceptions last year (ninth in the AFL) included one returned for a touchdown.

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