Cookie Gilchrist - RB 1962-64

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Cookie Gilchrist - RB

Chester Carlton "Cookie" Gilchrist was, along with San Diego's Lance Alworth, the American Football League's first super star. Before the 1962 season, Cookie Gilchrist bolted the Canadian Football League to join the Buffalo Bills. That year Cookie became the Bills and the AFL's first 1000 yard rusher totalling 1096 yards in 214 attempts for a whopping 5.1 yard average per carry. After the '62 season Gilchrist was honored by the Associated Press as the AFL player of the year. Cookie was as volitile on the field as he was off the field. In his only 3 seasons and 42 games in a Buffalo Bill uniform, Gilchrist gained 4,031 yards from scrimmage (3,056 rush, 975 rec) and scored 35 touchdowns, with 29 TDs coming in his first 28 games! His temper led to a feud with head coach Lou Saban. While the Bills went on to claim their first AFL Championship vs San Diego, Gilchrist and Saban's rift could not be mended. Cookie was traded to the Broncos in the off season. One could only wonder what dynasty the Bills could have built with Gilchrist had he stayed in Buffalo.
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