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 (born
July 5, 1939 in Baxter, Arkansas) was an American college and
professional football player. This graduate of Western Illinois
University was a cornerstone of the American Football League Buffalo
Bills' defense in the mid- 1960s, at left cornerback.
A four-year letterman
(football, baseball, wrestling, track & field); in 1959 and
1960, he led the WIU football team to the only consecutive undefeated
seasons in school history, and is in the WIU Hall of Fame.
Booker signed as a free agent with the Bills
in 1962 and stepped into a starting role at left cornerback. He
made a career-high six interceptions (including two in his first
game, against Hall of Famer George Blanda), and was named to the
AFL All-Rookie team.
Edgerson's college background as a sprinter
and long jumper served him well in the demanding role of man-to-man
pass coverage. The AFL featured many dangerous receivers at that
time including San Diego's Lance Alworth. But Edgerson became one
of the key components of the league's best defense, and he was
the only man ever to catch Alworth from behind in a game.
Edgerson appeared in playoffs four conecutive
years, and in three straight AFL Championship games. The Bills
beat the San Diego Chargers in 1964 and again in 1965, when Edgerson
was selected as an American Football League All-Star.
Edgerson had 23 interceptions in his eight-year
career in Buffalo, and scored on two, including one against Joe
Namath. He also forced and returned a fumble for the deciding score
in a 1969 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, played in blizzard
conditions.
Edgerson retired to Buffalo, where he has
been involved in numerous charitable endeavors through the Bills
Alumni, and was the 1993 recipient of the Ralph C. Wilson Award.
Booker Edgerson is a member of the American
Football League Hall of Fame
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