ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills made late head coach Lou Saban the 30th member of their Wall of Fame at halftime of Sunday’s home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
The team kept the honour a secret from Saban’s four children, who were visibly emotional in celebrating their father’s honour during a halftime ceremony.
Saban coached the Bills from 1962-65 and again from 1972-76, leading the team to consecutive AFL championships in 1964-65. In both title seasons, he was AFL Coach of the Year.
An Army veteran, Saban was a four-time champion and two-time All-Pro as a player for the Cleveland Browns from 1946-49 in the All-America Football Conference before embarking on a 50-plus year coaching career in the high school, college and professional ranks.
Saban disappointed late Bills owner Ralph Wilson in 1976 when he abruptly left the team, which led to the coach’s belated honour. Saban died in March 2009 at the age of 87.
A 10th-round draft pick out of Indiana University in 1944, Saban also coached the Denver Broncos and Boston Patriots, as well as the University of Maryland, Army and the University of Miami.
He last coached with Chowan University in 2002.
