Buffalo Bills Retired Numbers
An accomplished business executive, Geoffrey “Geoff” Palermo is an amateur Ferrari race car driver. He repairs and upgrades repairs Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other exotic cars at GMP Cars, a group of luxury automotive repair shops in Northern California. Away from business, Geoffrey Palermo is an avid fan of the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.
The Bills entered the American Football League in 1960. They won two championships before the AFL and the NFL combined in 1970, then went on to make four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, but lost all four. The team has retired three jerseys: that of Jim Kelly (12), Thurman Thomas (34), and Bruce Smith (78).
Jim Kelly was first drafted by the Bills in 1983 but didn’t join the team until 1986. As quarterback for 11 seasons, he passed for over 3,000 yards in a season eight times in his career with the Bills. He guided the team to eight postseason appearances and four straight Super Bowls.
Thurman Thomas, out of Oklahoma State University, played running back for the Bills for 13 seasons. A member of the 1988 draft class, Thomas was selected by the Bills in the second round. He was the all-time NFL leader in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive years and was the 1991 season’s Most Valuable Player.
Coming from Virginia Tech, Bruce Smith was the Bills’ first overall draft pick in 1985. Playing for the Bills for 19 seasons, Smith was known as one of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL. He holds the league’s all-time record for career sacks at 200.
The Bills entered the American Football League in 1960. They won two championships before the AFL and the NFL combined in 1970, then went on to make four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, but lost all four. The team has retired three jerseys: that of Jim Kelly (12), Thurman Thomas (34), and Bruce Smith (78).
Jim Kelly was first drafted by the Bills in 1983 but didn’t join the team until 1986. As quarterback for 11 seasons, he passed for over 3,000 yards in a season eight times in his career with the Bills. He guided the team to eight postseason appearances and four straight Super Bowls.
Thurman Thomas, out of Oklahoma State University, played running back for the Bills for 13 seasons. A member of the 1988 draft class, Thomas was selected by the Bills in the second round. He was the all-time NFL leader in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive years and was the 1991 season’s Most Valuable Player.
Coming from Virginia Tech, Bruce Smith was the Bills’ first overall draft pick in 1985. Playing for the Bills for 19 seasons, Smith was known as one of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL. He holds the league’s all-time record for career sacks at 200.
