AFL star 'Cookie' Gilchrist selected to Bills' Wall of Fame

Posted August 30, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Running back Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist is getting his place on the Buffalo Bills' Wall of Fame in a nod to the franchise's American Football League heyday.

Gilchrist, who died at the age of 75 in January 2011, will become the 31st member added to the wall ringing New Era Field during Buffalo's home against Oakland on Oct. 29.

Though he only played three seasons in Buffalo from 1962-64, Gilchrist was a 251-pound bruiser whose ferocious running style drew comparisons to Jim Brown. Gilchrist's grit and single-mindedness extended beyond the field as he took stands against racism and wasn't afraid to demand better contracts.

He was the AFL's player of the year in 1962, when he had 1,096 yards rushing and a league-leading 13 touchdowns. In 1964, Gilchrist and quarterback Jack Kemp led the Bills to their first of two straight AFL championships.

Before joining the Bills he spent six years in the Canadian Football League, where he is regarded as one of its top two-way players.

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