Buck Buchanan

First African American taken first overall in AFL/NFL draft; Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Junious "Buck" Buchanan (September 10, 1940 – July 16, 1992) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). Buchanan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He was selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team. His was the first African American taken as the first selection in an AFL or NFL draft. Buchanan was massive for his era, standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), and weighing 270 lbs. (122 kg). His height gave him an advantage against linemen in the trenches.

Quick Facts

Position: Defensive tackle
Born: 10 September 1940
Birthplace: Gainesville, Alabama, U.S.
Died: 16 July 1992
Place of death: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
High school: Parker (Birmingham, Alabama)
College: Grambling (1959–1962)
Draft year: 1963

Lore & Background

It has been reported in multiple sources that Buchanan was born in Gainesville, Alabama, on September 10, 1940. He was born to steelworker Wallace Buchanan and Fannie Mae Buchanan. He had two brothers and two sisters. The family left Gainesville in 1941, and moved to Birmingham, Alabama.

Consistent with a photograph of the headstone at his grave, which says "1939 1992", however, it has also been stated he was born in 1939. Buchanan attended A. H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was the captain and a standout player in both football and basketball. He graduated in January 1959. He was originally better known for basketball, averaging nearly 20 points per game at center, and only began playing football as a junior; in part to stay in shape for the basketball season.

He was All-State in basketball in 1957 and 1958 and All-Conference in football. It has also been reported he was All-County and honorable mention All-State in basketball; and that he was All-State in football. He was 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and 210 lb. (95.3 kg) as a senior in high school. The person who may have most inspired Buchanan was his older brother, Wallace III.

His brother was enthusiastic about sports, but was limited from playing by a congenital heart defect; ultimately leading to Wallace's early death in 1968. In high school, Buchanan vowed to himself that since Wallace could not play, Buchanan would play for him. Buchanan said of his brother Wallace, "'He inspired me ... He got me going. I've never forgotten'".

Reader's Guide

Grambling State University's future College Football Hall of Fame head coach Eddie Robinson offered Buchanan a scholarship, after being contacted by Buchanan's uncle, Glennon Threat. Threatt was determined Buchanan should go to college and wrote to Robinson about Buchanan's athletic merits. Buchanan had decided to start working, rather than going to college, before Threatt (who coached football in Birmingham) told Buchanan that Grambling was interested in him.

It was Buchanan's mother who was the decisive factor in sending Buchanan to Grambling, after his uncle's efforts opened the door. Buchanan was also approached by Alabama State University, but chose Grambling, located in Louisiana, as Grambling was better known and offered a more substantial scholarship. By the time he reached Grambling, his weight had grown to 285 lb (129.3 kg). Buchanan was a letterman in football.

As a junior, he was named an Academic All-American after the 1961 season, the only Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) player selected. As a senior in 1962, Buchanan was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-America selection, as well as a Black College All-American. From 1960 to 1962, he was selected three times to the All-SWAC Team at defensive tackle. Among others, during his career at Grambling Buchanan's teammates included future AFL players Ernie Ladd and Ladd's uncle, Garland Boyette.

He also played offensive tackle at Grambling. Buchanan played defensive tackle in the 1963 Chicago College All Star Game where the college All-Stars defeated the 1962 NFL champion Green Bay Packers. His college All-Star teammates included two future Kansas City Chiefs' teammates Bobby Bell and Ed Budde, who would play with Buchanan on the Chiefs for 14 and 15 seasons, respectively. Buchanan also played on Grambling's basketball team.

Among his teammates were future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player Willis Reed, and future AFL player and Chiefs' teammate Ernie Ladd. Buchanan left the team after one year to focus on football. Buchanan was also a sprinter and distance runner on the track team. He was timed at 10.4 seconds in the 100-yard dash, 22.5 seconds in the 220-yard dash and 49.2 seconds in the 440-yard dash.

He ran the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. He also reportedly ran 4.9 in the 40-yard dash and 10.2 in the 100-yard dash at Grambling.

Did You Know?

Buchanan was both the first player from an historically black college and the first black player selected as a number one draft choice in AFL or NFL history.
He recorded the first quarterback sack in Super Bowl history, against Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr.