Ralph Wilson
Wilson at his Hall of Fame induction in 2009 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1918 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 2014 (aged 95) Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | University of Virginia University of Michigan Law School |
| Career history | |
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| Awards and highlights | |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1941–46 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
Ralph Cookerly Wilson Jr. (October 17, 1918 – March 25, 2014) was an American businessman and sports executive. He was best known as the founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, a team in the National Football League (NFL). He was one of the founding owners of the American Football League (AFL), the league with which the NFL merged in 1970, and was the last of the original AFL owners to own his team. At the time of his death he was the oldest owner in the NFL, at age 95. His 54 years of ownership was the third longest tenure by one owner in league history behind George Halas and Art Rooney. Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.