I recently received a shipment containing my third purchase of photographs from former Buffalo Bills photographer, Robert L. Smith.  We have an arrangement in which I have given Mr. Smith some suggestions as to the types of images I like, the players, years, themes, etc.  He then makes selections from his collection of vintage prints, and sends them to me sight-unseen.  Some might consider it an odd arrangement, but I’ve been increasingly pleased with each batch that I’ve been sent.  This third installment is no different.

Mr. Smith has become a big fan of this site, and has offered Tales from the American Football League readers a special gift with their photo purchases via his eBay store, simply for mentioning this site.  That’s a nice treat, as is the opportunity to look through the decades of his work, and remember the many great players that once called Buffalo their home.

1960 buffalo bills players

Tommy O’Connell, Richie Lucas and Don Chelf. 1960

bills defense chases len dawson

Mike Stratton (58), Carl Charon (43) and Marv Matuszak (55) chase Len Dawson.

george blanda

George Blanda gets a pass off against the Bills defense.

cookie gilchrist

Cookie Gilchrist finds a hole against the Oilers.

tobin rote and sid gillman

Tobin Rote confers with Sid Gillman in the 1964 championship game.

tom sestak

Tom Sestak leaps to knock down a Babe Parilli pass.

mike stratton and len dawson

Mike Stratton chases down Len Dawson.

len dawson and tom sestak

Len Dawson gets a pass off before the rush of Tom Sestak.

bobby burnett

Bobby Burnett runs behind the Bills Joe O’Donnell (67) and Billy Shaw (66).

kansas city chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs huddle in 1966 AFL championship game against the Buffalo Bills.

buffalo bills

The Bills get ready to take the field in Houston.

ron mcdole

Ron McDole closes in on Bob Griese.

joe namath

Joe Namath in-between plays.

jim dunaway

Jim Dunaway (79) leaps to try and deflect a Joe Namath pass.

Joe Namath gets the pass off just before Ron McDole closes in.

Joe Namath gets the pass off just before Ron McDole closes in.

ROBERT L. SMITH EBAY STORE