November 12, 2000 - Kalsu and Saimes Added To Wall Of Fame

Ten years ago, the Buffalo Bills added two names to the team's Wall of Fame at halftime of their game against the Chicago Bears. Both men played for the Bills during the 1960s: guard Bob Kalsu and safety George Saimes.

Members of Bob Kalsu's family were on hand to receive the honor on behalf of the soldier who so tragically lost his life in Vietnam the day before his son was born. (I posted a picture of his name on the Vietnam Wall yesterday.)

Saimes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 1963 draft. He wound up in Buffalo, where he won two AFL titles in the mid-60s, was named to three AFL All-Pro teams, and made five straight AFL All-Star game appearances from 1964-1968.

Saimes played in 91 games for the Bills during the 1960s. He is tenth in team history on the all-time interceptions list with 22, but has fewer games played than everyone above him. He finished his career with the Denver Broncos and former coach Lou Saban, playing three seasons but never recording another interception.

Saimes is one of the safeties on the All-AFL first team, and was joined by fellow Bills RB Cookie Gilchrist, WR Art Powell, OT Stew Barber, OG Billy Shaw (first team), DT Tom Sestak (first team), DT Tom Keating, LB Mike Stratton, and CB Butch Byrd.

The Bills won the game that day over the Chicago Bears 20-3.