Longtime NFL executive Bill Polian will be inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, the team said Sunday.
Polian served as the team's general manager from 1986 to 1993, turning a losing franchise into a perennial Super Bowl contender, winning NFL Executive of the Year award twice in that time.
"Bill was the architect of our Super Bowl teams which made four consecutive appearances, a feat that may never be duplicated," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said in a statement.
The Bills fired Polian after the team lost its third consecutive Super Bowl. The team, largely intact from the year before, made it back to the Super Bowl the following year, as well.
"I can't tell you how excited I am," said Polian said in a statement. "I told Mr. Wilson I really couldn't find words adequate to express my gratitude and happiness."
Polian was instrumental in signing Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and drafting Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith. He also drafted running back Thurman Thomas and wide receiver Andre Reed.
Polian went on to serve as the general manager of the expansion Carolina Panthers (1994 to 1997) and president and general manager of the Indianapolis Colts (1997 to 2011). While in Indianapolis he drafted Peyton Manning and finally won a Super Bowl in 2006.
