NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has hailed Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson following his death at the age of 95.
Wilson founded the Bills in 1959 and was club president until the end of the 2012 season. He was also voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 due to his part in the foundation of the AFL and its merger with the NFL.
"Ralph Wilson was a driving force in developing pro football into America's most popular sport. He loved the game and took a chance on a start-up league in 1960 as a founding owner of the American Football League," said Goodell.
"He brought his beloved Bills to Western New York and his commitment to the team's role in the community set a standard for the NFL. We are grateful for his many contributions to the NFL and offer our heartfelt sympathy to the Wilson family."
The Bills won the AFL championship in 1964 and 1965 under Wilson.
Simon Sinclair
