Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Bill Polian

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football Executive
Statistics: 1 Super Bowl (XLI)
4 The Sporting News Executive of the Year Awards (1988, 1991, 1995 & 1996)
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame
Member of the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor
Before Bill Polian arrived in Buffalo, he was a scout in both the NFL and CFL and was the personnel director for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and later the Chicago Blitz of the USFL. Polian’s first job with the Bills was as their personnel director, and two years later, he was their general manager, building a team that would go to four consecutive Super Bowls. It was a great achievement by Polian, but he had more aces up his sleeve with his next two teams.

Polian became the first general manager of the expansion Carolina Panthers. He was only in that capacity for three seasons, but in year two, he built a team that reached the conference finals. Polian received an offer to be the general manager and president of the Indianapolis Colts, and the dual-role was one he could not refuse.

His first ever draft pick was Peyton Manning, and he would later poach head coach Tony Dungy. The Colts won Super Bowl XLI and went to eight straight post-seasons under his watch.

Polian won six Executive of the Year Awards over 22 years, a testament to what he accomplished.

We are proud to nominate Bill Polian for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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