gold star for USAHOF

239. Mike Stratton

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
  • Published in Football
  • Read 1713 times
  • Rate this item
    (2 votes)
239. Mike Stratton

Mike Stratton was the leader of one of the best linebacking crews in the American Football League, though his accomplishments seem to have been forgotten in the game’s folklore.  A 13th Round Pick from Tennessee in 1962, Stratton fit in immediately with the Buffalo Bills, settling in at Right Linebacker, and from 1963 to 1968, he was a perennial AFL All-Star with two of those years seeing him chosen for First Team All-Pro.  Stratton was a massive cog in the Bills AFL Championship wins in 1964 and 1965, and in the former, he made "the hit heard round the world" taking San Diego Chargers Running Back Keith Lincoln out of the game and changing the momentum of a game that Buffalo was losing in the first half.  

Stratton would be named a Second Team All-AFL player and is recognized in the Bills Wall of Fame.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Vonore, Tennessee, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 1979
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Games Played: 156
  • Notable Statistics: 21 Interceptions
    250 Interception Return Yards
    1 Interception Return Touchdown
    2 Fumble Recoveries
    29 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    31.5 Quarterback Sacks*
    1 Reception
    19 Receiving Yards
    96 Aproximate Value

    4 Playoff Games
    1 Interception 
    0 Interception Return Yards
    2.0 Quarterback Sacks*

    *Quarterback Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Played For: Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers
  • College: Tennessee
  • Drafted: 13th Round, 100th Overall in 1962
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AFL Champion (2) (Buffalo Bills, 1964 & 1965)
    All-AFL Second Team
    First Team All-Pro (3) (1964, 1965 & 1996)
    Second Team All-Pro (1) (1967)
    AFL All-Star (6) (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1968)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (3) (1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Return Yards (1) (1967)
    Top Ten Finishes: Interceptions (1) (1962)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: None.

Should Mike Stratton be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 60%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 40%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 15:06

Comments powered by CComment