Coy Wire: Commitment On and Off the Field

by Shelby Higgins

Pennsylvania native Coy Wire is no stranger to adjusting to new roles. Wire was a running back in high school, as well as a heavyweight wrestler who was ranked first in his home state, during his senior year. In Wire's freshman year, he started out as a running back for Stanford. However, the coaching staff felt he was too small to be effective, and Wire began playing Inside Linebacker during his junior year. Wire holds the distinction of leading the Stanford team in both rushing and tackles.

Wire was chosen 97th by the Buffalo Bills in the 2002 draft. He was selected to play Strong Safety based on a very successful game in the Senior Bowl. During his 2002 campaign, he notched 71 solo tackles, 25 assists, 3 sacks, and 1 pass defended in the 2002 season. Not a bad beginning for a rookie, starting in yet another position he was not too familiar with. As a Strong Safety, Coy Wire made an immediate impact with both management, and fans of the Buffalo Bills

Coy Wire took the news well when the Buffalo Bills signed Lawyer Milloy the week of the season opener. Rather than complaining about losing his starting Strong Safety job, he chose to focus his energy on helping the Bills as a special teams player. He also appreciated the opportunity to learn from one of the best safeties in the NFL. “ I never once was disappointed,” said the Wire. Adding, “ I looked up to the way he played before I started to play safety last year. I admired the way he played the game, so when I heard he was coming here I knew it was going to make our team better.” DaShon Polk, one of the leaders of Buffalo’s kicking teams, had this to say about Wire, “ His type of play, his style of play, he’s a wild guy. We need more headhunters and he’s one of them. That’s going to help our coverage team so much because he’s a good a player.”

As the 2003 season came to a close, Wire had the chance to play Free Safety in the last three games. He finished the 2003 season with 13 solo tackles and 3 assists, as well as one sack of Steve McNair and two passes defended against Miami and New England. The stats do not tell the story of the impact he has on the field during kickoffs and punt returns but they do prove his versatility on the field.

In a world where many athletes talent is overshadowed by their legal woes, Wire is a positive role model who is dedicated to giving back to the community. His Coy Wire Foundation was founded in July of 2003 to promote education and support the underprivileged in Buffalo. The foundation gives funds to programs that benefit the needy: the Food Bank of WNY, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Make a Wish Foundation. Portions of the funds come from Wire’s Most High clothing line, which features inspirational and spiritual Chinese symbols. According to Wire, "Hindrances and negative influences are everywhere, ready to keep us from achieving our goals. As a result, we have to surround ourselves with positive influences and energy, and train our minds to combat anyone or anything that will keep us from our goals. The messages and the caricatures on these garments serve as a constant reminder of the source of our potential.” Information on the clothing line and Coy’s charitable works can be found at www.coywirefoundation.com.

What the 2004 season has in store for Coy Wire remains to be seen. He has proven to be an asset on Special Teams. He has also shown promise playing in certain defensive schemes, and filling in as starting FS when Pierson Prioleau and Izell Reese were injured. Wire has proven himself to be both versatile and adaptable. His accomplishments at every position he has played speak for themselves. Wire has a winning attitude, strong work ethic, and is dedicated to excellence on a personal and professional level. He has taken his demotion to Special Teams in stride, and never wavered in his support of his teammates and his coaches. Hopefully the Buffalo Bills will find a way to utilize his strengths and find a fulfilling role for him to play for years to come. What ever task the Buffalo Bills ask of Coy Wire, he will exceed, and surpass expectations.

Discuss Wire's future with the Bills here