The Buffalo Bills are mourning the passing of one of their most celebrated stars, a cornerstone of their AFL Championship team.
Top veteran, who served as the starting left tackle during the Bills’ consecutive league title wins in 1964 and 1965, passed away at the age of 86. He died peacefully at his home in South Carolina, surrounded by his family. He was just days away from his 87th birthday, which would have been celebrated last Saturday.
A Pennsylvania native, Stew Barber began playing football at an early age and quickly made a name for himself as a standout athlete.
In high school, he broke his own father’s record in the shot put, showcasing his strength and athleticism. His impressive performance earned him full scholarships to play both football and basketball at Penn State, where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Barber graduated in 1961 and was drafted that same year by teams in both the NFL and the AFL, marking the start of his professional football journey.
Stew Barber was selected by both professional leagues in 1961—going 30th overall in the third round of the NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys, and 25th overall in the fourth round of the AFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills. Choosing to stay closer to home, Barber opted to sign with Buffalo.
He began his pro career as an outside linebacker, where he impressed with three interceptions in his rookie season, including one returned for a touchdown. In 1962, he transitioned to offensive tackle—a position he would hold for the remainder of the decade.
As a key protector of quarterback Jack Kemp, Barber helped lead the Bills to back-to-back AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. Over the course of his career, he earned five AFL All-Star selections and was named to the All-AFL First Team twice.
Though he was named a second-team member of the AFL All-Time Team when the AFL-NFL merger occurred in 1970, Barber retired from playing in 1969 without ever competing in the NFL. He remained with the Bills organization, starting as a college scout and eventually rising to assistant general manager and vice president before retiring in 1983.
Barber spent his later years in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. He passed away surrounded by family at age 86 and is survived by his wife, Vicki, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.