Class of 2007

Darryl Talley Inspirational Bills Defensive Leader

He was the undisputed leader on a team of marquee players; some had bigger names, but none had a bigger heart. Darryl Talley was drafted in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft out of the University of West Virginia. A consensus All America linebacker, Talley learned the world of professional football in a humble way - experiencing back to back 2-14 seasons. But by the mid 1980's, a coaching change and the addition of a few players with names like Bennett, Smith, Conlan and Thomas enabled Talley's Bills to usher in a golden age of Buffalo football.

During the Bills four Super Bowl seasons, Talley led the Bills in tackles every year but one, finishing second in 1991. That year would be his finest as a Bill, recording four sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and five interceptions - a team high. He appeared in two Pro Bowls - chosen in 1990 as a personal pick of AFC coach Art Shell and voted in for his play in 1991.

Talley never missed a game during his 11-year career with the Bills. He is the Bills all-time leading tackler with 1,137 career takedowns; he also recorded 38 ½ sacks and 11 interceptions. Noted for his speed and intensity, he was never one to showboat.he just made plays. And making plays earned him preliminary nominations - and we expect a future appointment - to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.