George "Butch" Byrd (born 1941) of Boston University was one of the best running backs and pass receivers on the Terrier football team of the early '60s. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and immediately made an impact in the defensive backfield, with seven interceptions. Byrd was also a solid punt returner for his entire career. He is most remembered for a scintillating punt return in the 1965 American Football League Championship game against the San Diego Chargers. Byrd took a John Hadl punt and with fabulous blocking, took it 74 yards for a TD.

Byrd holds the Bills' career records for interceptions (40), interception return yards (666) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (5). He was a five-time American Football League All-Star, and was selected for the second team, All-Time All-AFL. Byrd is a member of the Boston University Hall of Fame and the American Football League Hall of Fame.

See also

• Other American Football League players

External links

• Byrd's citation on the AFL Hall of Fame website
• Byrd's citation on the Boston University Hall of Fame site
• American Football League All-time Team