The Buffalo Bills are mourning the passing of Stew Barber, a cornerstone of their back-to-back AFL Championship teams in the mid-1960s.
Barber, who started at left tackle during Buffalo’s 1964 and 1965 title runs, passed away last Wednesday at the age of 86, just days before what would have been his 87th birthday. He died peacefully in South Carolina, surrounded by his family.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Barber made his mark in high school athletics by breaking his father’s shot put record. He earned full scholarships for both football and basketball at Penn State, where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines.
In 1961, Barber was drafted by both the NFL and AFL — selected 30th overall by the Dallas Cowboys and 25th by the Buffalo Bills. He chose to sign with Buffalo to remain closer to home.
Barber began his rookie year as an outside linebacker, recording three interceptions — including a pick-six — before switching to offensive tackle in 1962, where he became a fixture for the rest of the decade. He helped protect quarterback Jack Kemp and played a crucial role in the Bills’ championship success.
During his career, Barber earned five AFL All-Star nods and was twice named to the All-AFL First Team. He was also selected as a second-team member of the AFL All-Time Team when the league merged with the NFL in 1970. Though he retired before ever playing in the NFL, his legacy endured.
Following his retirement in 1969, Barber stayed with the Bills in a front office role, rising from college scout to assistant general manager and vice president before retiring in 1983.
He spent his later years in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Barber is survived by his wife Vicki, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
