Safety-Kicker
No. 2
Auburn
"Bill was one of the first players signed by the Buffalo Bills and will be responsible for one of the most important assignments in pro football, the defensive halfback position.
He was the star defensive halfback for two years with the San Francisco 49ers. Bill played previously for Auburn and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference team. He was also selected for All-America."
-1960 Fleer No. 24
"All-Southeastern Conference selection in 1956-57 and an All-American in 1957. Atkins is the Auburn record-holder for most points scored in a single season. He participated in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star Game.
Atkins played two years as a defensive back with the San Francisco 49ers. He was signed by the Bills as a defensive back and a kicker."
-1960 Buffalo Bills Official Program
"The most active of all pro punters in '60 was Birmingham's Billy Atkins whose 89 boots totaled 3,468 yards. Booting Billy, 26, was first exposed to pro fire as a 49er and turned in a creditable job as a defensive back. As a Bill he intercepted five passes and also tallied 45 points on 27 extra points and six field goals."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"Speed and alertness are the factors most sought after in the secondary, and this All-Southeastern Conference star possesses both.
A conference selection in 1956 and 1957, with an All-America nomination in 1957, Atkins participated in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star contest, then joined the San Francisco 49ers as a valuable defense man. Last year he switched to the Bills where he proved a valuable kicker as well."
-1961 Fleer No. 141
"The man who gets the biggest 'boot' out of the game is Billy Atkins, the Millport (Alabama) mechanic who established AFL records in 1961 with 84 punts and a 45 per punt average. He led pass interceptors (10) last year and dashed for 87 yards on two running attempts from a fake kick formation.
Billy was an All-Pro selection as a safetyman."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Billy Atkins of the Buffalo Bills led the AFL in two departments in 1961- interceptions, with 11, and punting, with a 45-yard average. The former Forty-Niner and Auburn star had his greatest season in pro ball."
-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football
"An All-Southeastern Conference halfback in college, this Birmingham, Alabama speedster switched to defense in the pros and he was rewarded last year by making the second All-Pro team in the AFL. A brilliant kicker, Bill led all the Bills' punters in 1961 with a 45.0 yard average for 84 kicks.
A star in the East-West and College All-Star contests after graduating in 1957, Atkins joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. Two years later he joined the Bills."
-1962 Fleer No. 18
LEE RILEY
Safety
No. 22
Detroit
Lee certainly did his part last year in the continued development of the Titan defensive secondary. He caused trouble for opposing passers with four interceptions, including one returned 41 yards.
After attending St. Aloysius Academy just up the Thruway in Schenectady, Lee was a unanimous All-Missouri Valley halfback two straight years. He began his pro career in Detroit after being personally scouted by Lion coach Buddy Parker.
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