Bills Great Cookie Gilchrist Loses Battle With Cancer

by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2011 6:20 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

News starting leaking out about former Buffalo Bills running back Cookie Gilchrist suffering from throat cancer in April of 2007. Today, Gilchrist succumbed to the disease. Word began spreading on December 17 that Gilchrist was in assisted living and the cancer had progressed to stage IV. He was 75 years old.

Gilchrist signed with the NFL's Cleveland Browns right out of high school in 1953. When the Browns reneged on the deal for a host of reasons, including that the NFL would probably not allow an 18-year-old to play, he went to Canada to play professional football. After a hugely successful career up north, Gilchrist joined the Bills in 1962.

All Gilchrist did in Buffalo was pound the rock. He was the first 1,000-yard rusher in the American Football League in 1962, earning him Most Valuable Player honors. He scored an AFL-record 13 touchdowns during that 14-game season. In 1963, he had one of the greatest days a running back has ever had, going for a pro football record 243 yards and five touchdowns. He led the AFL in rushing yards in 1962 and 1964, his first and last years in Buffalo, and made the AFL All-Star team in all three seasons with the Bills.

Gilchrist made some hefty contract demands in 1965 and the Bills didn't want to meet them. Buffalo traded him and he made stops in Denver, Miami, and back to Denver for the next three seasons. He is the fullback on the all-time AFL team. His contract demands were then and still unheard of.

"I wanted a percentage of the hot dog sales, the popcorn, the parking and the ticket sales," Gilchrist said. "He said that would make me part owner of the team. I was a marked man after that."

In 1965 Gilchrist led a strike of the AFL All-Star game after making it as a member of the Denver Broncos. Gilchrist was upset that New Orleans was going to segregate the black and white players. He has also refused induction to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on the grounds that management was racist.

In 2007 Gilchrist announced he was being treated for throat cancer. The former 259-pound bruiser was down to 179 pounds and could barely talk that year. He announced that the tumor, which was right next to his carotid artery, was removed and he was recovering and even putting on weight.

Gilchrist received an outpouring of support from Buffalo fans in response to the news.

"I have a whole box of cards and letters," Gilchrist told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in May of 2007. "I was surprised; it brought tears to my eyes. I thought Buffalo was mad at me."

Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News had a good relationship with Gilchrist. His remembrances can be found here along with those of former News reporter Milt Northrop.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Waaay too young to remember him. (Born in '88)

But I remember from my ‘35 Year History of the Buffalo Bills’ video that was sent with our season tickets that year, that he was amazing. Some of his runs were just unbelievable.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Jan 10, 2011 6:31 PM EST reply actions

Pretty Much Jim Brown Just in the AFL

A lot of people believe him to be the greatest player ever obviously these numbers are literally dieing but 6’2’’ 255lbs 4.4second 40 yard dash, and people said he had only a 29 inch waste and could have played and been a force at literally any position in any of the three phases of the game.

by SPCtacular1 on Jan 10, 2011 6:38 PM EST reply actions

God Bless Cookie

Nice job MRW
I was like 11 years old and my buddy and I went to the rockpile with his parents who had seasons tix. They gave us the $ and left us at the Dodge St gate. Turned out the game was sold out and we circled the stadium for like 30 mins scared shitless. It turned out they eventually sold standing room tix for right down on the field—- what a thrill. All I can remember was how huge and fast Cookie was. Thanks for the memories Cookie.

It was Cookie's turn to lead the "easiest exercise" during the Monday practice after a game-- he said-- "we're going to do deep breathing--everybody inhale--dehale "---As told by Jack Kemp at my high school sports banquet circa 1966.

by radan on Jan 10, 2011 7:01 PM EST reply actions

Cookie

It’s absolute shame that he nor Lou Saban are the Wall of Fame. If Ralph Wilson wanted to be a stand up guy, he would add them before he passes on. He has to let by gones be by gones and get these guys up.

Favorite Cookie story: Against the Patriots, he knocked out one of there players on a block, as the trainers were attending him, he went to the Defensive huddle and said, “Which one of you Mother F***ers is next..” Classic. Guy was a beast. Too young to ever see him play, but the stories I’ve heard and read about him the dude was a baller. RIP to one of the greatest to wear a Bills uniform.

Follow Me here: http://twitter.com/Michael_Necci

by Michael_Necci on Jan 10, 2011 7:06 PM EST reply actions

RIP Cookie.

If not before, now he should get on the wall of fame.

The Doctor Jones fanclub: Active for more games than Jones himself.
"Just Do Something" - Nike’s new logo for Bills apparel.
Paul McCartney Can't Play Piano
Burgundy Wave - SBnation's Colorado Rapids site
Crystal Palace FC - WHY

by UZ on Jan 10, 2011 7:43 PM EST reply actions

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

I’m too young to remember him, but still, it’s always bad to lose someone who was an integral part of a team.

Also, we lost a family friend in England due to esophageal cancer, so I know what it’s like.

Condolences from Packers fans.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jan 10, 2011 7:43 PM EST reply actions

Sad

My heart felt condolences to his family and friends.

And Buffalo selects "God only knows" in rd. 1 pick 3. Bank on it!

by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2011 7:55 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the write up

Too young as well to have seen Cookie play, I’ve nevertheless read of him in Bills lore. Truly one of the greats even in his short tenure with Buffalo. I was never mad at you Cookie!!

by buffaloparks on Jan 10, 2011 8:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions

RIP Cookie

One of the most talented and classiest players ever.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Jan 10, 2011 8:04 PM EST reply actions

Woulda been great....

even in today’s NFL… Thanks for the memories Cookie, and for setting the bar, for future Bills running backs…

Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!

by Cinga on Jan 10, 2011 8:12 PM EST reply actions

Sayonara, good sir.

by trademark on Jan 10, 2011 8:38 PM EST reply actions

Cookie put the Bills on the map

There’s no question. I didn’t know that stuff about wanting a percentage of sales. Clearly he was a sharp guy and visionary as well. Obviously an elite talent. RIP Cookie

The bases were drunk, and I painted the black with my best yakker. But blue squeezed me, and I went full. I came back with my heater, but the stick flares one the other way and chalk flies for two bases. Three earnies! Next thing I know, skipper hooks me and I'm sipping suds with the clubby

by moroots on Jan 10, 2011 9:55 PM EST reply actions

RIP Cookie........

Ralph, it’s time to get him on the Wall. Do it, do it.

I'll stop whining, when I stop caring!

by UtahBillsFan on Jan 10, 2011 11:03 PM EST reply actions

Good write up Matt

And Rest in Peace Mr. Gilchrist

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Jan 10, 2011 11:40 PM EST reply actions

Wow, I Didn't Know He Was The Placekicker His Rookie Year, Too!

THE Glory days WILL return and once again the rise of the sleeping BUFFALO WILL take place again - abayarde

by Bruce Smith's Shoe on Jan 11, 2011 9:01 AM EST reply actions

He played linebacker in the CFL, too, but the Bills wouldn’t let him in the NFL.

You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings

by MattRichWarren on Jan 11, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

I heard this on CBC radio this morning

The football world is poorer today.

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 11, 2011 9:44 AM EST reply actions

Lookie Lookie

He was a character that the AFL needed in the early days of the league. He was one of the leaders when the AFL All-Stars threatened to boycott the game in New Orleans because of discrimination towards the black ball players—-the game was eventually moved to Houston…

He was actually drafted by the Browns out of high school, they tried to stash him in the CFL…

He will always be remembered—-RIP Cookie!!!

"You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun."

– Al Capone

by Goose22 on Jan 11, 2011 11:12 AM EST reply actions

He was actually drafted by the Browns out of high school, they tried to stash him in the CFL…

They tried to put him on their roster first but the NFL wouldn’t let them. Crazy.

You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings

by MattRichWarren on Jan 11, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Old Coots!!

The AFL kept them on their toes…

"You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun."

– Al Capone

by Goose22 on Jan 11, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Condolence to the family of the great Gilchrist for the pain and the loss they are into now. I also had time to get the news of his throat cancer complications but I was waiting for an official statement. It is sad that the statement is confirming his death.

Michael Jordan - I can stop Kobe Bryant One-on-One

by poolepoole78 on Jan 11, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions

From Paul Maguire...

It was December 1964. While snow was being cleared from Fenway Park’s field, the Buffalo Bills waited anxiously in a spartan locker room for their game against the Boston Patriots to start. They normally would’ve whiled away this time with card games or other diversions to ease the mood. Not on that day.

The Bills had to win to host the AFL Championship game six days later. The atmosphere was tense, the room quiet.

“Cookie stood up,” Maguire recalled, "and said ’I’m going to tell you something. If we don’t win this game, I’m going to beat the s—- out of everybody in this locker room.’ "

Just then, Bills head coach Lou Saban and assistants Joe Collier, Jerry Smith and John Mazur unwittingly walked into their star fullback’s escalating fury.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo
Former Buffalo Bills star Carlton Chester “Cookie” Gilchrist died Monday morning in Pittsburgh. He was 75.Maguire continued: “Cookie pointed and said, ‘And I’m going to start with you, Coach. I’m going to kick your ass first.’ I just sat back in my locker. I knew he meant it.”

On the first play of the game, Gilchrist took a handoff from Jack Kemp and trucked helpless Patriots safety Chuck Shonta.

“Cookie ran right over his ass,” said Maguire, the Bills’ popular linebacker and punter. "Then he went up to Bob Dee, who was the defensive end, and says ’You’re next.’ Kemp came over the sideline and said ’We’ve got to get him out of there. He’s going to kill somebody.’ "

========

I always thought it was the Chargers game that he knocked out the DB and then said your next—-time has a way of changing your memories!

"You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun."

– Al Capone

by Goose22 on Jan 11, 2011 12:22 PM EST reply actions