The Buffalo Bills announced at their Season Ticket Holder Draft Day Party, held at Ralph Wilson Stadium, that fans voted 26 members to the Bills 50th Season All-Time Team presented by Tops.
The Bills fans chose the following offensive players; quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, wide receivers Andre Reed, Eric Moulds and James Lofton, tight end Pete Metzelaars, and offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure, Kent Hull, Billy Shaw, Ruben Brown and Jim Ritcher. The defensive players chosen by the fans were; defensive lineman Bruce Smith, Fred Smerlas and Tom Sestak, linebackers Darryl Talley, Mike Stratton, Cornelius Bennett and Shane Conlan, cornerbacks Butch Byrd and Nate Odomes and safeties George Saimes and Henry Jones. The special team's players selected by the fans were kicker Steve Christie, punter Brian Moorman and special team ace Steve Tasker. The fans selected Marv Levy as their All-Time Team head coach. (All-Time Team roster is attached).
The players were chosen by fans from a list of nominees that were selected by the Bills Wall of Fame Committee this past January. Players nominated to the list by the WOF Committee had to have played for the Bills for at least four seasons or have been a member of the Bills 25th Anniversary Team.
"This is something I am truly honored to be a part of," said 50th Season All-Time Team Quarterback Jim Kelly. "I'm honored to have played with some great players and to have played for a great coach in Marv Levy. I just look at all the guys who helped me do it including Kent Hull ~ especially Kent Hull at center. He really helped me get to where I am."
"For a large segment of the population in Western New York, there could be no greater honor," said 50th Season All-Time Team special teamer Steve Tasker.
Brian Moorman was the only current Buffalo Bills player to be selected to the All-Time Team by the fans. "Words cannot explain what it means to be named to the Bills All-Time team," said 50th Season All-Time Team punter Brian Moorman. "To be mentioned in the same sentence as current and future Hall of Fame players is amazing. Thank you to all of the Bills fans who voted for me and believe I deserve such an honor. It will make walking through the tunnel on Sunday's to play in front of all of you even more special."
The Bills legends were voted to the Bills 50th Season All-Time Team by fans during an interactive fan voting process that took place between February 19th and April 19th. Nearly half-a-million votes were tabulated through online voting through the Bills website and mail-in balloting provided by Labatt Blue through Tops Markets and other local participating retailers.
The Bills 50th Season All-Time Team presented by Tops will be recognized during a special on-field ceremony at Ralph Wilson Stadium during the Bills home opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers September 20, 2009.
In addition, a lucky fan will be selected in the Tops All-Time Team contest to win a five minute shopping spree with a Bills player at Tops. 50th Season autographed merchandise and $50 Bills Store gift certificates have been given out to randomly selected fans that have voted. Special Bills 50th Season merchandise is available in person at Tops, the Bills Store and online through buffalobills.com.
The Bills also announced that fans may visit buffalobills.com and click on the Fans tab for an interactive website page of the All-Time Team, photos, videos, All-Time Tailgate recipes, wallpapers, and more.
