Bills Champion TE Charley Ferguson Dies at 83

The late Charley Ferguson was a part of the Buffalo Bills' championship efforts in the AFL.

The Buffalo Bills announced the passing of former tight end Charley Ferguson at the age of 83. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

“He loved the Bills, and he loved the close camaraderie with the Bills, particularly the Bills he played with," Ferguson's longtime wife Janice told The Buffalo News. "They took such joy in giving back to the community, and they found all kinds of creative ways to do that.”

Ferguson totaled 736 yards on 46 receptions over seven seasons (1963-69) in Buffalo and partook in each of its consecutive title runs to the American Football League championship in 1964-65. His most notable Buffalo moment came in his Bills debut when he caught a game-winning 72-yard touchdown pass from Jack Kemp in an October showdown against Boston, shortly after he came over from Minnesota. His professional career began with Cleveland in 1961.

The Tennessee State alum also repped the Bills at the 1965 AFL All-Star Game in Houston.

As The Buffalo News documented, Ferguson remained in the Western New York area after his playing career ended, spearheading several community projects and serving on the board of the Bills' alumni association and foundation. A service in Ferguson's memory will be held at the First Shiloh Baptist Church in Buffalo, where he was a longtime parishioner and trustee, on Feb. 24. 

In addition to Janice, Ferguson is survived by his daughters Gena, Kimberly, and Victoria.

Tragically, Ferguson is not the only member of the Bills family who passed on this week, as the franchise also paid its final respects to former offensive lineman Conrad Dobbler. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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