Description

Inducted June 11, 2007

Drafted out of McNeese State as a tight end in the 17th and final round of the 1962 draft, Tom Sestak went on to become one of pro football’s great defensive linemen. At 6′ 4″ and a “lean” 272 pounds, Sestak used his speed, strength and agility to become the cornerstone of the Buffalo Bills 1964 and 1965 AFL Championship teams. As a rookie, Sestak was selected to the AFL All-Star Team, and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He earned All-AFL honors for four consecutive years (1962-1965), before chronic knee injuries slowed, and eventually ended his career in 1968. He has been named to the AFL Hall of Fame, the Buffalo Bills Silver Anniversary Team, and to the first team All-Time AFL Team. Many experts consider him one of the greatest defensive linemen ever to play the game.

INDUCTION BANQUET PROGRAM STORY — June 11, 2007

American Football League Great

By:  Tom Tarapacki
NPASHF Board Member

Many people didn’t expect a lot when McNeese State tight end Tom Sestak was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 17th and final round of the 1962 draft. However, it didn’t take long for Sestak to develop into an all-league defensive lineman, and gain recognition as one of pro football’s great tackles.

Sestak was born on March 9,1936 in Gonzales, Texas. His paternal grandparents immigrated from Czechoslovakia, and his maternal grandparents, Peter and Emily Dylla, were of Polish heritage. Along with older brothers George and James, young Tom participated in a variety of sports, including football, basketball and track. James recalled that their working class parents were very supportive of the boys’ athletic activities. “They always told us, ‘Go out and play if you want to play,’” said James.

After playing tight end at McNeese State in Louisiana, Tom Sestak was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 17th round of the 1962 American Football League draft, which was the final round at that time. (He was also drafted in the 16th round of the National Football League draft by Detroit). The Bills decided to convert him from tight end to a defensive tackle, and he soon became one of the best defensive linemen in the game. At 6-4, 272-lb. he had the size, speed and strength to handle any offensive lineman in the league. Sestak became a starter in his first season and was chosen to play in the AFL All-Star game as a rookie. Pro Football Illustrated named Sestak its defensive rookie of the year

Over the next few years Sestak was the cornerstone of a top-rated Buffalo defense that took the Bills to the AFL championships in 1964 and 1965. In 1964 the Bills allowed just 913 yards rushing on 300 attempts during the regular season, a pro football record. The same defense registered a record fifty quarterback sacks. The 1964 defense also allowed only four touchdowns rushing all season, and started a string that would extend into the 1965 season of seventeen straight games without allowing an opponent to score a rushing touchdown. Buffalo defeated the high-scoring San Diego Chargers to win the AFL title both in 1964 and 1965, by scores of 20-7 and 23-0, respectively.

Quick and agile as well as strong, Sestak twice returned interceptions for touchdowns, and once returned a recovered fumble for a score. He finished Bills career with 51 sacks, including a high of 14.5 in 1964. He also won consensus All-AFL first team honors in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965

Sestak’s career was hampered and ended prematurely in 1968 because of injuries, primarily chronic knee problems. However, Sestak was a tough man who endured a lot of pain. Former Bills trainer Eddie Abramowski recalled that Sestak’s tolerance of pain was “legendary.” Abramowski pointed out that one season Sestak never missed a game despite suffering three broken ribs. Another season he earned All-AFL honors despite the fact that his chronic knee problems forced him to spend the practices on a stationary bicycle while his teammates scrimmaged. Abramowski, who spent five years with the Detroit Lions when the had the likes of Alex Karras and Lou Creekmur, argued that Sestak deserved to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Larry Felser, long-time Buffalo News Sports Editor, argued that the 272-lb, Sestak would have been an outstanding defense lineman in any era. “It was a lean 272, so bulking up another 10 pounds or so would have been no problem for him,” wrote Felser. Various experts who study the game rate Sestak as among the best defensive linemen ever to play pro football

Although Sestak probably hasn’t gotten the kind of recognition he deserves, he has received numerous honors over the years, including being named to the AFL Hall of Fame; the Bills Silver Anniversary Team; the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame; the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame; the McNeese State Hall of Fame; and, the All-time AFL team. .

Very popular in Buffalo, Sestak remained in the city after his retirement, and for a time ran a restaurant with former teammate Paul Maguire. He died of a heart attack in Buffalo on April 3, 1987 at the age of 51, leaving behind his wife, Patricia, and son, Tom.

From humble beginnings Tom Sestak rose to pro football fame, and is truly deserving of induction into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2007, in the Greats of the Past category.