vorpma Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Paul Costa, Tight End during the 1960's glory years passed away recently. I often post about the "old days of the "AFL" and growing a Bills fan; I had family members that were plank holders regarding season tickets from 1960 well into the 1990's. As stated in previous posts, the players during the 1960's were blue collar guys that played football professionally during the fall. The Bills of the 1960's were a close knit group hanging out in Taverns and bars across western New York. Paul Costa had huge arms and arm strength and would arm wrestle bar patrons for a beer, all in good fun, really great guy. Paul Costa lost his young son to illness in the early 1970's soon leaving the Bills, although he had a short stint in the WFL. Us "old farts" lose another of our guys from the 1960's; my prayers and thoughts to the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 R. I. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 RIP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 My respects to Mr. Costa and his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 He averaged 16.7 yards per reception in his career. Pretty snazzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. K Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Whenever I think of Costa I remember this photo from his rookie season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 RIP. Hopefully KRC will drop in and add some perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Whenever I think of Costa I remember this photo from his rookie season. Me too! when i saw this thread, that pic came immediately to mind. very sorry to hear of his passing.. R I P... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis in NC Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Paul Costa, Tight End during the 1960's glory years passed away recently. I often post about the "old days of the "AFL" and growing a Bills fan; I had family members that were plank holders regarding season tickets from 1960 well into the 1990's. Plank holder? Were there just plank benches for seating at the Rockpile? Yes, those guys had day jobs back in the 1960s. Sestak and Maguire owned a restaurant/pizzeria at my corner in Kenmore. Butch Byrd (star cornerback) was an auto mechanic at the Chrysler dealer (Delaware at Hertel) where my neighbor worked. RIP Paul Costa, and condolences to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Paul Costa, Tight End during the 1960's glory years passed away recently. I often post about the "old days of the "AFL" and growing a Bills fan; I had family members that were plank holders regarding season tickets from 1960 well into the 1990's. As stated in previous posts, the players during the 1960's were blue collar guys that played football professionally during the fall. The Bills of the 1960's were a close knit group hanging out in Taverns and bars across western New York. Paul Costa had huge arms and arm strength and would arm wrestle bar patrons for a beer, all in good fun, really great guy. Paul Costa lost his young son to illness in the early 1970's soon leaving the Bills, although he had a short stint in the WFL. Us "old farts" lose another of our guys from the 1960's; my prayers and thoughts to the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS 56 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Sad news. I remember him well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Didn't they convert him to tackle? Or am I thinking of someone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. K Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Didn't they convert him to tackle? Or am I thinking of someone else? Yes, he did move to tackle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Whenever I think of Costa I remember this photo from his rookie season. Known in the day as "The Catch!" Plank holder? Were there just plank benches for seating at the Rockpile? Yes, those guys had day jobs back in the 1960s. Sestak and Maguire owned a restaurant/pizzeria at my corner in Kenmore. Butch Byrd (star cornerback) was an auto mechanic at the Chrysler dealer (Delaware at Hertel) where my neighbor worked. RIP Paul Costa, and condolences to his family. As Plank holder I meant they were one of the first to purchase season tickets; on the side of the end zone across from the Dodge Street tunnel. There was always a twenty piece band that played during timeouts right below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBob Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 (edited) Known in the day as "The Catch!" As Plank holder I meant they were one of the first to purchase season tickets; on the side of the end zone across from the Dodge Street tunnel. There was always a twenty piece band that played during timeouts right below. RIP Paul. I loved that band. I was just a kid, but that live band was cool. They used to play during timeouts and before and after the game. So much better than the crap they blare over the loudspeakers today. They used play Christmas songs in December. Those were the days. Speaking of them working during the offseason, Ron McDole and Al Bemiller used to build spec houses and Al had a restaurant and bar on Clark Street. Boy, what a different Era that was back then. Edited October 17, 2015 by BuffaloBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yungmack Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Great Bill from an era of great Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBob Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Oh, and Al Bemiller's playing wait at center back then? 250 fully dressed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 RIP Paul. I loved that band. I was just a kid, but that live band was cool. They used to play during timeouts and before and after the game. So much better than the crap they blare over the loudspeakers today. They used play Christmas songs in December. Those were the days. Speaking of them working during the offseason, Ron McDole and Al Bemiller used to build spec houses and Al had a restaurant and bar on Clark Street. Boy, what a different Era that was back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 In the 1968 opener, Costa scored the only Bills' TD on a tight end-around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Maybe the last Bills tight end-around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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