Friday, December 4, 2015

1976 Profile: Tony Greene

Free Safety
No. 43
Maryland
"Greene started nine games at cornerback in 1975 after moving from free safety due to an injury to Robert James. He was the second leading interceptor on the team with six for 81 yards and has now picked off 15 passes in the last two years. He also had three fumble recoveries, including one against Denver that he returned 32 yards to the Bronco three-yard line, setting up a Buffalo touchdown. Tony suffered a shoulder separation in the opening preseason game against Green Bay and missed the entire preseason. He did not start until the third regular season game, but appeared in all 14 contests.
Tony was an All-Pro free safety in 1974 when he ranked second in the NFL in interceptions despite missing the final two games with a knee injury which required surgery. He equalled the Bills record with interceptions in four straight games and finished the season with nine thefts. Tony was voted by teammates as the Bills' MVP on defense in 1974 and has been elected permanent defensive captain the last two years.
He once had a 105-yard interception return against Miami nullified by a penalty. His 19 career interceptions places him fifth on the Bills all-time list.
Tony started at both cornerback and safety during the 1973 season. He won a starting berth in 1972 after seeing action with the special teams as a rookie and was a kick returner in 1972 and 1973.
He was a defensive back and captain of Maryland's 1970 squad and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in interceptions. Greene was voted as the Terrapins' outstanding defensive back as both a junior and a senior. A sprinter for the Maryland track team, he set records in the 50 (5.3 seconds), 60 (6.0) and 100 (9.5).
Tony majored in physical education at Maryland and would like to get into either counseling or human relations as a career. He's dedicated to many charitable causes in the Buffalo community and worked as a representative of the Commerce Department's Business Management Fellowship Program in Buffalo during the off-season. He enjoys movies and music."

-Buffalo Bills 1976 Yearbook

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