Member Of Bills Electric Company Dies

GRAND JUNCTION, CO. – Mike Montler, a former NFL center and member of the famed Buffalo Bills offensive line dubbed, “The Electric Company”, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 74. 

A cause of death has not been determined. 

Montler was selected by the Boston Patriots in the second-round of the 1969 draft out of the University of Colorado after completing his service in the United States Marine Corps. 

Montler would play for the Patriots until 1972. 

In 1973, Montler joined the Bills. During his tenure in Buffalo, Montler became part of the famed Electric Company offensive-line which included NFL Hall-Of-Fame inductee Joe DeLamielleure at right-guard, left-guard Reggie McKenzie, a member of the College Football Hall-Of-Fame, left-tackle Dave Foley, who received a Pro-Bowl invitation in 1974, and offensive tackle turned tight-end Paul Seymour. 

During his four-year tenure in Buffalo, Montler contributed on the offensive line which would help produce the first running-back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season when O.J. Simpson rushed for 2,003 yards in 1973. Simpson is the only running back to achieve this feat in a 14-game season. Simpson rushed for at least 1,500 yards in three of Montler’s four seasons as a Bills lineman. 

The Offensive-Line coach during The Electric Company’s run was NFL Hall-Of-Fame center, Jim Ringo. 

After his tenure in Buffalo ended, Montler would spend one season each with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions before retiring.