Michael R. Montler (January 11, 1944 – December 13, 2018) was an American professional football guard, center and offensive tackle who played ten seasons in the American Football League (AFL) and in the National Football League (NFL) for the Boston/New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and the Detroit Lions.
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| Position: | Guard, Center, Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | January 11, 1944 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||
| Died: | December 13, 2018 (aged 74) Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 254 lb (115 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | St. Mary's HS (Columbus, OH) | ||||||
| College: | Colorado | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 1969 / round: 2 / pick: 32 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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University of Colorado
editMontler played college football at the University of Colorado where he was All-American in 1968.
Buffalo Bills
editIn 1973, his fifth year in the NFL, he became the starting center of the Bills,[1] replacing Remi Prudhomme, splitting time with Bruce Jarvis, centering between Reggie McKenzie at left guard and Hall-of-Famer Joe DeLamielleure at right guard, for a fine 9–5 team, when O.J. Simpson became the first running back to rush for over 2,000 yards. In 1974, Montler won the job away from Jarvis, starting in all 14 games for another 9–5 season.[2] The Bills lost ground in 1975 with a won-lost record of 8–6, despite having the best offense in the entire NFL with 420 points (30.0 points/game). For the second year in a row, Montler played all 14 games between McKenzie and DeLamielleure in the stout middle of the Bills offensive line.[3] Although the same trio played together in all 14 games in 1976,[4] the team sagged to 2–12, an offense worth 20th place in scoring and a defense 24th in points allowed. Montler was replaced by 5-year pro Willie Parker.[5]
Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions
editMontler became the starting center for the Denver Broncos in 1977 for all 14 games and the Detroit Lions in 1978, but only in 4 games.
Death
editMontler died on December 13, 2018, aged 74 in Grand Junction, Colorado.[6]
References
edit- ^ "1973 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "1974 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "1975 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "1976 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "1977 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ Northrop, Milt; Carucci, Vic (December 18, 2018). "Bills' Electric Company center Mike Montler dies at age 74". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
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