Defensive Tackle
No. 70
McNeese State
"Tough as it may be for anyone in the NFL to admit, Tom Sestak is very probably the best defensive tackle in professional football. Tom stands 6-4 and weighs 270 pounds. Big? Sure. But not overwhelming by pro standards. What makes him stand out, though, is his astonishing strength and his speed in pursuing a play.
He was drafted 17th out of McNeese State in 1962 and has been an All-AFL selection the last three years. Buffalo teammate Billy Shaw claims Tom has helped make him an all-star.
'When you play against Tom in practice every day,' Shaw explains, rubbing his bruises, 'you either improve or retire.'"
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Virtually unknown as a 17th round draft choice, Tom was AFL Rookie of the Year in 1962. He is today is regarded as the best defensive lineman in the AFL. Determination, drive and second effort is this young man's key to success."
-1966 Topps No. 28
JIM DUNAWAY
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Mississippi
"Can a fat boy make his way in pro football? The answer is yes if he weighs in within reason. Ask Jim Dunaway, the 6-4, 279-pound defensive tackle of the Bills. Jim, an All-America at Ole Miss, could easily slide up the scale to 300 pounds, but it would deprive him of some of the mobility that makes him so effective. He and Tom Sestak are an impossible twosome when they rush a quarterback full blast.
In 1962, the Bills made Jim their No. 2 draft pick and outbid the Minnesota Vikings for him."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Improving every year, Jim is one of the hardest tacklers in professional football. The Buffalo line is one of the hardest to run against. With Jim teamed up with Tom Sestak, the Bills feel they have the best tackles in pro football.
Jim was a unanimous All-American at Mississippi."
-1966 Topps No. 24
DAVE COSTA
Defensive Tackle
No. 82
Utah
"Entering his second season, Dave Costa figures to improve on his rookie year when he quickly developed into one of the best defensive tackles in the AFL. Originally a linebacker, he was installed on the line, where he won a first-string berth. Remarkably quick for 260 pounds, he was runner-up in Rookie of the Year balloting to Bronco fullback Billy Joe and was one of only two rookies selected for the AFL All-Star Game.
Out of the University of Utah, he was a standout in the East-West Shrine Game. Dave is a Salt Lake City resident."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"Big Dave Costa was the American Football League's top freshman in 1963. In fact, the immense tackle was runnerup in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Dave was one of the few rookies picked to play in the A.F.L. All-Star game.
Back during his high school days, Dave performed as a quarterback. At a junior college in Colorado, he was a hard-running fullback."
-1964 Topps No. 134
"Burly Dave Costa has solidified the defensive line since moving to right tackle from linebacker. He gets most of his strength from his enormous arms and upper body, and offensive linemen are rocked backwards as they try to move him out.
A seventh-round draft pick after coming out of Utah in 1963, Dave was runner-up in Rookie of the Year balloting and was one of only two rookies to play in the AFL All-Star Game."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Dave started out as a linebacker in his rookie year but was moved to defensive tackle. He impressed everybody with his hard-hitting and aggressive play. His efforts earned him runner-up honors in the Rookie of the Year balloting. He was one of only two rookies to play in the 1963 All-Star game.
Extremely flexible, Dave quarterbacked his high school team and played as a fullback in college. Hampered by injuries last year, he is ready for another crunching season of line play."-1965 Topps No. 135
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