Dec. 20, 1962 - Carlton (Cookie) Gilchrist of the Buffalo Bills, who admits he prefers to run over opponents rather than around them, today was named UPI’s player of the year in the American Football League. The 27-year-old fullback drew 14 votes from a panel of 24 AFL writers. Quarterback Len Dawson of the Dallas Texans provided his closest competition with six votes. Signed by the Bills in August after the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian league released him because of his off-field antics, the 6-foot-2-inch, 243-pound Gilchrist proved a fantastic all-around performer for Buffalo this year. Not only was he the first AFL player to crack the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, he finished second in the league in scoring with 128 points on 15 touchdowns, 14 conversions, and 8 field goals, and displayed even more versatility as an outstanding pass blocker and pass receiver. While Gilchrist was nursing injuries early in the season and learning his way around the league, the Bills dropped their first five games. Once Cookie got into the regular lineup, Buffalo won seven of its last nine and tied one other.
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