Something Old, Something Blue: Dave Behrman- C

by Stephen Brandt

Michigan is known as the ‘Wolverine State,’ but about 40 years ago, Buffalo’s AFL draft was all Spartan. They selected four Michigan State players: Defensive back George Saimes; defensive tackle Jim Kanicki; linebacker Herb Paterra; and Dave Behrman a center. Behrman was an All-America center, and was chosen No. 4 overall.

As a rookie he was a backup on the offensive line, he played on special teams in order to get on the field. He had high hopes for the ‘64 season but during the preseason, he tore a cartilage in his right knee and spent the year on the sideline. What a bad break for the player! That was the season where the Bills won the AFL title, and that had to be hard on Behrman.

Now back from his knee injury he got to start the following season, and the Bills compiled a 10-3-1 record. Forr the second straight year the Bills faced San Diego for the league title. But it marked a second for Behrman, a second knee surgery. That would be the last he would play in Buffalo.

Lou Saban, Buffalo’s head coach during Behrman’s years, brought him to Denver where Saban was the coach. Behrman would only play one more season (1967) before leaving. He now lives in Albion, Mich., with his wife, Marion. Dave is a retired plant superintendent, an industry that he had worked for 18 years at Michigan State Industries, which was a prison manufacturing program. He has two daughters: Kimberly and Kellie; five grandchildren; and one great granddaughter