Buffalo Bills hero dies three days before his birthday as his team pays emotional tribute

Buffalo Bills hero dies three days before his birthday as his team pays emotional tribute

The Buffalo Bills are mourning the loss of one of the key pieces on their two-time AFL Championship-winning teams in the mid-1960s.

Stew Barber, a starting left tackle who won back-to-back league тιтles in 1964 and 1965, pᴀssed away last week.

Barber had enjoyed his retirement from the league in South Carolina and died surrounded by his family at the age of 86 last Wednesday. He would have turned 87 last Saturday.

Barber was a native of Pennsylvania and began playing the sport of football at a young age.

After breaking his own father’s high school record in the sH๏τ put, Barber received full scholarships to play basketball and football at Penn State. He played on both sides of the line in college.

Barber graduated in 1961 and was selected in both the NFL and the AFL Drafts that season.

Stew Barber, a former player and team executive for the Buffalo Bills, died at the age of 86

Stew Barber, a former player and team executive for the Buffalo Bills, died at the age of 86

Barber won back-to-back AFL тιтles with the Bills in his nine seasons playing in Buffalo

Barber won back-to-back AFL тιтles with the Bills in his nine seasons playing in Buffalo

The Dallas Cowboys selected him 30th overall in the third round of that year’s draft, while the Bills took him 25th overall in the fourth round.

Faced with a decision, Barber picked Buffalo in order to stay closer to home.

After spending his rookie season at outside linebacker – tallying three interceptions, including a pick six – Barber was moved to offensive tackle for 1962.

He’d remain there for the rest of the decade – protecting Bills quarterback Jack Kemp en route to two AFL тιтles.

Barber earned five AFL All-Star selections and two All-AFL First Team selections.

When the AFL-NFL merger happened in 1970, Barber was named to the second-team on the AFL All-Time Team. 

But Barber never played in the NFL, retiring in 1969. He transitioned to the Bills’ front office – beginning as a college scout before rising through the ranks and becoming ᴀssistant general manager and vice president.

He retired in 1983 and lived out his final days in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Barber is survived by his wife Vicki, three daughters, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Related Posts

Jerry Jones risks more outrage from Cowboys stars after brutal take on Micah Parsons’ trade request

Jerry Jones risks more outrage from Cowboys stars after brutal take on Micah Parsons’ trade request

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has delivered a brutal verdict on Micah Parsons’ decision to submit an official trade request.  The Cowboys’ top defensive star, 26, had…

Kelce family in mourning as Ed Kelce’s partner dies

Kelce family in mourning as Ed Kelce’s partner dies

Ed Kelce, the father of Travis and Jason, has announced the death of his partner, Maureen Maguire.  Kelce shared an obituary on his Facebook page on Saturday…

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel sends warning to Tua Tagovailoa after Donald Trump called out NFL quarterback

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel sends warning to Tua Tagovailoa after Donald Trump called out NFL quarterback

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel joked that Tua Tagovailoa has been given an ‘executive order’ to avoid getting hurt after Donald Trump told the quarterback he ‘has…

Los Angeles Chargers star Denzel Perryman arrested on felony charge after he is found with five weapons

Los Angeles Chargers star Denzel Perryman arrested on felony charge after he is found with five weapons

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Friday night in Inglewood, California on a felony charge after he was found with five weapons in…

Shedeur Sanders suffers injury setback as he battles for NFL starting spot with Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders suffers injury setback as he battles for NFL starting spot with Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders is suffering from a shoulder issue that has forced the Cleveland Browns quarterback to miss part of training camp. Sanders is locked in a four-way…

Football star exposes ‘darker side of the NFL’ that top players are struggling with: ‘Nobody will admit it’

Football star exposes ‘darker side of the NFL’ that top players are struggling with: ‘Nobody will admit it’

Pittsburgh Steelers star Breiden Fehoko has shed new light on the financial risks taken by many players in the NFL. The defensive tackle, who returned to the Steelers earlier…