A tribute to Bob Kalsu

by MattRichWarren on May 25, 2009 1:00 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

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Photo of Bills lineman Bob Kalsu
via www.profootballhof.com

Bob Kalsu was a Buffalo Bill. Bob Kalsu was a soldier.

Bob Kalsu was an All-American tackle at the University of Oklahoma in the 1960s. When he graduated, he entered the AFL in 1968 as an eighth round pick of the Buffalo Bills. Here he joined a dynamic offensive line that included future Hall of Fame guard Billy Shaw and AFL All-Star Stew Barber. Kalsu started at guard that year and was named the Bills' Rookie of the Year.

Following his rookie season he was required to fulfill his Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) obligation and he entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant. He and his comrades were sent to Vietnam in November of 1969. While his teammates were fighting for yards at the Rockpile and in other AFL cities, Kalsu was fighting for his life and the lives of his fellow servicemen in Southeast Asia.

Kalsu was killed in action on July 21, 1970.

He left behind a daughter named Jill and a pregnant wife who gave birth to Kalsu's son two days after his death. She named him James Robert Kalsu, Jr. a few hours before hearing of her husband's death. Kalsu was the only recently active pro football player to lose his life in Vietnam.

In honor of Kalsu, a Buffalo-based Army Reserve Unit named their Forward Operating Base 'FOB Kalsu' in 2003 during the Iraq War. You can see the Buffalo servicemen in the picture at the bottom of the post. Kalsu is a member of the Wall of Fame and his high school named their football stadium after him. NFL Films produced a documentary on Kalsu that was nominated for an Emmy. The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized Kalsu in 1970 with a plaque that reads:

"No one will ever know how great a football player Bob might have been, but we do know how great a man he was to give up his life for his country."

At the time of his death, the twenty-five year old Kalsu had a bright NFL career in front of him - but he gave his life to his country. On this Memorial Day, let's remember Kalsu and all the other men and women who have given their time, their family, and their lives.

To learn more about Kalsu, visit the Virtual Wall, the Bills team site, or Sports Illustrated's Vault.

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Buffalo-based servicemen stationed at FOB Kalsu in Iraq.
Photo Source

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Well done Matt.....very nice tribute.

"I’m not sure how anyone can expect Buffalo to make the playoffs without blind offseason induced homeristic optimism being the majority of their reasoning." - kaisertown

by Joe P. on May 25, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Personally,

I am so torn over the fact that the subtitle of the picture at the bottom says “Where else would you rather be?” Great Bills quote and I know they know they are fighting for a just cause but it’s such a bittersweet sentiment when they are halfway around the world.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 25, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Especially when not everyone here believes it’s a just cause. I will always support both Canadian and American troops around the world. Their bravery and dedication is something that I have always gravely admired. But not all of their missions are just causes.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 25, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Right. But that’s why you have to support the soldiers so much. They’re over there fighting and risking their lives for what many consider a ridiculous cause, one that they shouldn’t have to potentially lose their lives for. Soldiers will always get my respect and thoughts, it’s the politicians and leaders of this country that deserve any and all criticism!

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 25, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

BINGO

it’s the politicians and leaders of this country that deserve any and all criticism!

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on May 26, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

ditto

by ncfinfan on May 26, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

And I entirely agree with you on that one K. There are very fiew ppl for which I have more respect for then the men and women that defend our countries, they are heroes.

Mygrand father fought on the first wave of soldiers to arrive on Juno beach on D-day, and lived to tell the tale. Juno the beach that the Canadians had been assigned on D-Day; also second beach to get captured of D-Day, we even had thae chance to go help you yanks out on Omaha.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 27, 2009 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

i disagree

any mission that an american risks their lives on is a just cause. i may disagree with why they are there, but to say it isn’t a just cause to a soldier is a slap in the face.

by ncfinfan on May 26, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

let me rephrase that

i often disagree with what is asked of our soldiers. but, being from a military family, when you lose a loved one to a military conflict, it makes no difference wether you supported the policy behind it. your family member is still gone either way.

by ncfinfan on May 26, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

when i read about

brave people like this, it makes me feel bad for all the whining i do on a daily basis. this country bcame great because of guys like that.

by ncfinfan on May 25, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Words mean very little

But I think this is a good opportunity to thank everyone in the service who has done so much for our country and kept us all safe. Thank you!

by ballinbills1315 on May 25, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Pat Tillman

Nice article Matt. Today I honor Pat Tillman. One of only a few true “heroes” out there. This guy passed on millions of dollars to serve his country. He had a choice, but chose to protect our country and died fighting for freedom.

This one’s for you Pat, a true “hero”. If anyone is so inclined a donation can be made to the Pat Tillman fund. I made my annual donation today.

Thanks to all of you out ther who serve/served our country proud!

"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy

by Jason from OH-IO on May 25, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

God Bless him and all the fallen soldiers. My utmost respect goes out to all the soldiers and we can’t thank them enough for their service, dedication and courage.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 25, 2009 7:23 PM EDT reply actions