VFL Mike Stratton Passes Away

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Former Tennessee Vol and Buffalo Bill all-time great linebacker Mike Stratton died at the age of 78 on Wednesday.

Stratton, a native of Vonore, Tenn., was a three-time letterwinner for the Vols from 1959-61 and starred on both sides of the ball. He accounted for four touchdowns during his career and tallied 11 catches for 152 yards.

Stratton was selected in the 13^th round of the 1962 AFL Draft by the Bills, launching an impeccable pro career that spanned over a decade. He was tabbed an AFL All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1963-68.

Under his leadership, the Bills captured back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965. In the 1964 version of the game against the San Diego Chargers, Stratton provided what was billed as the "hit heard round the world." With Buffalo trailing 7-0, Stratton's bruising tackle of the Chargers' Keith Lincoln sparked a comeback.

After a 10-year run with the Bills, Stratton concluded his NFL career as a member of the Chargers in 1973.

A three-time All-Pro honoree, Stratton was selected to the Bills' Wall of Fame and named to the club's 50^th anniversary all-time team in 2009.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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