1971 Bills Defensive Back Profiles

BUTCH BYRD

Cornerback

No. 42

Boston University

"The Bills' all-time interception leader with 40 thefts in his seven-year career (he added four last season), George (Butch) Byrd has started every game for Buffalo since he was drafted fourth in 1964.

A hard hitter and durable performer, the six-foot, 196-pound cornerback can match opposing wide receivers in both size and speed. In his rookie season he ran his first interception back for a 72-yard touchdown.

At Boston U., Butch was the team's rushing leader in both his junior and senior seasons."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Trusty veteran who has intercepted 40 passes over the years for the Bills. Byrd ranks third on the active AFC players' list in that department' the two men above him are 11- and 13-year veterans [Byrd has played seven]. He had four interceptions last season and ran one back for the fifth touchdown of his career.

He's a durable, tough hitter who has started all Bills games for seven straight years. He has made several All-Star and all-league teams throughout his career. He used to run back punts, but relinquished the chore completely in 1970. He was a running back in college.

His real name is George but most people address him with the nickname his uncle gave him years ago. Born in Watervliet, New York, he owns a distributorship for Utica Club beer and operates a hamburger place. Byrd will turn 30 the day after the regular season opener. He's married with three children."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)

"Butch has been named to numerous all-star teams in six of the past seven years. He is the Bills' all-time pass interception leader with 40 and he ran his first pro interception back for a 72-yard touchdown in 1964. One of his best games occured in the Houston Astrodome, 10-5-69, when he intercepted three aerials against the Oilers.

A durable performer and a strong hitter, he has started all the Bills' game the past seven years. He's rated as one of the AFC's foremost punt return artists.

Butch played offense at Boston University, leading the team in rushing in his junior and senior years.

His wife is a registered nurse."

-1971 Topps No. 58

ROBERT JAMES

Cornerback

No. 20

Fisk

Robert became a starting cornerback for the Bills last year after spending most of his rookie season on special teams. Signed as a free agent by Buffalo, he has already established himself as a formidable open-field tackler.

A defensive end and linebacker at Fisk, Robert was the team's MVP in 1968. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in education.

ALVIN WYATT

Kick Returner-Cornerback

No. 41

Bethune-Cookman

Oakland's top punt returner as a rookie in 1970, Alvin was ninth in the AFC in punt returns (25), eighth in punt return yards (231) and seventh in punt return average (9.2). In his first pro game, the Raiders' season opener at Cincinnati, he returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 21-21 in the third quarter.

Alvin was named All-SIAC three times as a collegian at Bethune-Cookman. He was both a cornerback and a punt returner.

JOHN PITTS

Strong Safety

No. 48

Arizona State

"John was an outstanding high school basketball star and received more college scholarship offers in that sport than in football. He transferred from Santa Ana Junior College to Arizona State and was selected as All-Western Athletic Conference in 1965 and 1966. John played both defensive back and wide receiver in college and appeaered in the Coaches All-America Game.

His play was largely confined to specialty teams as a Buffalo rookie. John started seven games at strong safety in 1968, showing himself as a willing worker with good quickness and hitting ability. He was a starter in all 14 games in 1969 and again in 1970.

John has proven himself to be a good physical match for most tight ends."

-1971 Topps No. 163

PETE RICHARDSON

Free Safety
No. 47
Dayton
"Free safety Pete Richardson wears contact lenses when he plays, and he saw everything so clearly last year that he wound up as the Bills' interception leader with five.
Last season was Pete's first full year in the pros. A seventh round draft choice out of Dayton in '68, he didn't make the squad the first time around. In 1969, however, Pete stuck with Buffalo and moved into the starting lineup for the final six games of the season.
A strong tackler with good speed, Richardson is quickly improving his ability to read offenses."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971