Pro Football Hall of Famer Billy Shaw dies, aged 85, as Buffalo Bills pay emotional tribute

The Buffalo Bills have paid an emotional tribute to Pro Football Hall of Famer Billy Shaw , who has died at the age of 85 as they offered their condolences to the former player's loved ones.

The legendary ex-football ace passed away with his family by his side in Toccoa, Georgia as a result of blood condition hyponatremia. Shaw, who played in the AFL for the Bills between 1961 and 1969 during a storied spell, leaves behind his wife Patsy and their three daughters.

A two-time AFL champion in 1964 and 1965, the legendary star was a first-team All-American Football League pick on five occasions during the height of his career. Shaw also was the only player to have ever been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame without having played in the NFL .

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Having retired following the 1969 campaign, he missed out on the merger of the AFL and the NFL, which took place in 1970. He first emerged on the college football scene, with his performances at Georgia Tech convincing the Bills to select him as a second round draft pick in 1961.

He also was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys - of the NFL - that year but decided to commit his future to Buffalo. He described his reasons behind deciding to play for the Bills later, saying: . "I had been in contact with the [Cowboys mostly prior to the Bills getting involved.

"The Cowboys wanted to play me at linebacker. We had lengthy conversations at that point in time. The Bills wanted to play me at either defensive end or an offensive line position. I really wanted to play on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive end. So that triggered a real interest for me (in the Bills)."

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Following his death, the football community has come together to honor the icon's life as they paid tribute to Shaw, alongside offering sympathy to those close to him. Hall of Fame president Jim Porter was among those who issued a statement on Friday after the news emerged.

He said: "Billy's all-around athleticism brought a new dimension to the guard position and made the 1960s Buffalo Bills a formidable opponent capable of bruising opponents with a punishing rushing attack. And while Billy could be unforgiving to anyone in his way on the football field, he was the classic example of the "Southern gentlemen" off the field to everyone he encountered."

Meanwhile, the official Bills account on Twitter/X also issued a statement, reading: "We are saddened to learn about the passing of Bills Wall of Famer Billy Shaw. We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time."

Shaw's nephew also said on Twitter/X: "I just knew him as my uncle who played for Georgia Tech and the Bills until he was inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1999. The family walked up to the HOF in Canton to be greeted by so many Buffalo Bills and football fans cheering for Billy Shaw. Thank you."