O.J. SIMPSON
Running BackNo. 32
USC
"How much do the Bills depend on running back O.J. Simpson? Well, they didn't win any games after O.J. was knocked out by injury in the eighth game of the season. At first there was a rumor that Simpson had undergone knee surgery, but that was due to a mixup in terminology. The prize draft choice of 1969 had suffered only a knee capsule tear- not critical enough for surgery, but serious enough to keep Simpson from playing the rest of the season. It's expected that he'll be completely recovered this year.
O.J. wound up with only 488 yards and five touchdowns last season. But, in the games he played, the former USC star showed a changed attitude. He seemed more willing to pitch in on blocking and pass protection assignments in addition to carrying the ball. When he does get the ball Simpson is, according to coach Rauch, 'an every-play threat.'"
-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971
"Just when O.J. was busting out, the injury jinx smacked him and he missed six full games. But he had a fine second season, rushing for 488 yards for a 4.1-yard average and five touchdowns. He caught 10 passes and was spectacular on kickoff returns with seven for a 47.6-yard average. He ranks second among active AFC players in kickoff returns with a 30.8-yard average.
O.J. gained 697 yards rushing as a rookie after a much heralded college career at Southern Cal. He was unanimous All-America two years in a row and the Heisman Trophy winner as a senior after setting all sorts of rushing records. O.J. balked at coming to Buffalo because of the weather because of the slim chances of capitalizing on his name.
He finally signed and didn't suffer in the financial department. He has endorsements and personal appearance contracts with Chevrolet, Royal Crown Cola, ABC-TV, etc. The Bills think he will really bust out in 1971 because of their better balanced offense.
O.J. is a quiet, humble guy despite the publicity buildup. He's married with two kids and makes his off-season home in Los Angeles."
-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)
"O.J. was well on his way to a superb season for the Bills in 1970 when a knee injury shortened his year. As pro football's first selection in the 1969 draft he was the game's most heralded rookie of all time. O.J. has everything essential to be an all-time great. He's fast, shifty and durable and is a threat every time he has the ball.
In his rookie season of 1969 he led the Bills in rushing, in kickoff returns with 21 for 529 yards and a 25.2 average, and in total yardage. At USC, O.J. was the Heisman Trophy winner in 1968. He was a unanimous All-America selection as a junior and a senior in 1967 and 1968. As a senior, he led the nation in rushing with 1,709 yards on 355 carries for a 4.8-yard average.
He was rated by some as the greatest college runner ever."
-1971 Topps No. 260
WAYNE PATRICK
Fullback
No. 30
Louisville
Wayne rushed for 131 yards against Boston, 10-11-69, including a 72-yard rush, and scored a touchdown in a 23-16 Bills victory. Known for his outstanding blocking for O.J. Simpson, he had registered a 3.9-yard average in1970 before sidelined with a shoulder injury in the ninth game of the season.
The Sophomore Back of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference in 1965, Wayne was the Louisville fullback for three varsity seasons.
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