Tuesday, April 16, 2019

1980 Profile: Reggie McKenzie

Guard
No. 67
Michigan
"Last of the Electric Company, along with DeLamielleure. The Juice's main man at one time, McKenzie hasn't lost the ability that has made him one of football's better guards. He just doesn't have Simpson behind him anymore.
Born in Detroit, McKenzie was an All-American at Michigan and has a physical education degree. He was All-Pro his first two seasons after the Bills drafted him second in 1972. The Bills' player representative from 1973-77, he's married to the former Ethellean Hicks, Miss Massachusetts of 1974. Mac helped make Terry Miller a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie, although Miller fell off last year."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"Teaming with Joe DeLamielleure to give the Bills one of the most feared guard combinations in the National Football League, Reggie has now played in 117 consecutive regular season games for the club. He earned All-Pro and All-AFC honors in 1973 and 1974 and he hasn't missed a game since his rookie campaign on 1972. Reggie was a consensus All-American."

-1980 Topps No. 218

Sunday, March 31, 2019

1980 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure

Guard
No. 68
Michigan State
"One half of the Bobbsie Guards. Joe D. and Reggie McKenzie have played 103 and 117 consecutive games respectively. Joe DeLamielleure, otherwise known as Frenchy Joe or Pierre the Pull-Out Guard, was an All-Pro pick and Pro Bowl selection for the fifth straight year. He was a first-round pick back in 1973 and became an instant starter the year The Juice ran for 2,003 yards.
Despite his bulky look, Joe D. won the NFL racquetball championship. He works out every day in the off-season and is one of the strongest Bills. Born in Detroit, he's not scared to walk Motown's streets at night.
He attended Michigan State and majored in criminal justice. When Joe D. blocks you, there is no justice. It's au revoir."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"In seven seasons with the Bills, Joe has earned recognition as one of the truly outstanding linemen in NFL history. He was a starter for the AFC squad in the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season last January and was also a consensus All-Pro choice for the fifth straight year. Joe ranks as one of the most honored linemen in Bills history."

-1980 Topps No. 477

Monday, February 25, 2019

1980 Profile: Terry Miller

Running Back
No. 40
Oklahoma State
"Case for missing persons. Let's see, in his rookie year of 1978 he rushed for 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns. Terry started off a lot faster than O.J. Last year, he wasn't quite as visible, finishing with 484 yards and just one touchdown.
One reason for his off-year was 99 fewer carries. However, his rushing average dropped from 4.5 to 3.5.
His whereabouts could be Oklahoma where he has ownership in two construction firms. He also has a pilot's license, so check out the friendly skies.
Details: Born in Columbus, Georgia. College: Oklahoma State, everybody's All-American. Hometown: Colorado Springs. Hey, check out the ski slopes! Rumor: Heading back to Buffalo and a big season."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"Terry enjoyed one of his finest games for the Bills, against the Jets on November 26, 1978. That afternoon he rushed for 208 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns."

-1980 Topps No. 243

Sunday, February 3, 2019

1980 Profile: Jerry Butler

Wide Receiver
No. 80
Clemson
"Future phenom. Butler caught 48 passes for 834 yards (17.4) and four touchdowns- all against the Jets in one afternoon when he had 10 grabs for 255 yards. The yardage and touchdowns were new Bills single-game records. The fifth player taken in last year's draft, Butler missed three games.
He once beat Olympian Harvey Glance in an NCAA indoor qualifying race. Butler went to Clemson on a track scholarship and wound up breaking many of the school's receiving records while also leading the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Butler was a quarterback in high school- and four years later an All-American wide receiver. He was a favorite college target of Steve Fuller, now with Kansas City."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"Jerry's finest game of 1979 was against the Jets on September 23. He caught 10 passes for 255 yards and touchdowns measuring five, 75, 74 and nine yards. It was one of the top performances ever by a rookie."

-1980 Topps No. 36

Thursday, January 10, 2019

1980 Profile: Frank Lewis

Wide Receiver
No. 82
Grambling
"It took nine seasons, but Frank Lewis finally got it right. Fifty-four catches for 1,082 yards (20.0), his best pro season ever. Thirty-three years old and getting better.
Lewis was once a starter for Pittsburgh's first two Super Bowl champions. He deflated Baltimore in the 1976 playoffs with a 76-yard touchdown catch. But the Steelers had Lynn Swann and John Stalworth, so Lewis was traded to Buffalo in 1978.
Born in New Orleans, his hometown is Houma, Louisiana. A deputy sheriff in the off-season, no one tries to run away when Frank makes an arrest.
He scored 42 touchdowns as a wingback at Grambling. His longest touchdown catch as a pro was 92 yards for Buffalo two years ago."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"Frank caught five passes for 153 yards and a touchdown on September 17, 1978."

-1980 Topps No. 293