Class of 1999

George Saimes Defensive Back Buffalo Bills

An All-American at defensive back and fullback for Michigan State, the Spartan MVP in 1961 and 1962 and a member of the Spartan all-time defensive team, George Saimes joined the Buffalo Bills in 1963. He quickly developed into an outstanding safety and became a key member of the outstanding Bills defensive squads, which produced AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. In that 1964 season, George had a career-high six interceptions and earned the first of his five AFL All-Star Game appearances. George achieved All-AFL honors five times, and he is a member of the all-time AFL Defensive Team.

Saimes anchored a hard-hitting Buffalo secondary during a Bills career which lasted until 1969. His career spanned the best of times and worst of times of the franchise, and his contributions have been recognized by selection to the Bills' Silver Anniversary All-Star team. Saimes joined former Bills Booker Edgerson and Coach Lou Saban in Denver in 1970 and concluded his NFL career as a Bronco in 1972.

Since 1984, Saimes has served as director of college scouting for the Washington Redskins. The high degree of success enjoyed by the Redskins in the past decade is surely a reflection on George's considerable scouting talents and contributions to that organization.