Butch Byrd

Who is Butch Byrd?

George Edward "Butch" Byrd was a professional American football defensive back. He started his career playing college football at Boston University. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and immediately made an impact in the defensive backfield, with seven interceptions. Byrd was also a solid punt returner for his entire career. He is most remembered for a punt return in the 1965 American Football League Championship game against the San Diego Chargers.

Byrd holds the Bills' career records for interceptions, interception return yards and interceptions returned for touchdowns. He was a five-time American Football League All-Star, and was selected for the second team, All-Time All-AFL. Byrd is a 1980 inductee of the Boston University Hall of Fame, and in 2008 was selected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.