Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson dies at age 95

Ralph Wilson, the owner and founder of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills franchise, has died. He was 95-years-old.

Wilson’s death was announced during the league’s winter meetings in Orlando on Tuesday by team president/CEO Russ Brandon, reports USA Today.

“No one loved this game more than Ralph Wilson,” Brandon said. He added that Wilson’s widow, Mary, told him the news. He “passed away peacefully” with family by his side.

ESPN notes that his cause of death was not announced. Wilson had been in declining health, recently, though.

Wilson founded the Buffalo Bills and won two straight American Football League championships following the 1964 and 1965 seasons. The team became successful again in the early 1990s, making it to four straight Super Bowls, although they never won the championship.

He is credited with keeping the Bills in western New York and also starting talks with Baltimore Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom, which ultimately lead to the NFL-AFL merger. Forbes has valued the team at $870 million, notes ESPN.

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