Phil Villapiano

Phil Villapiano at NFL.com Douglas John Buffone (born June 27, 1944 in the Pittsburgh suburb of Yatesboro, Pennsylvania) is a former American football linebacker in the NFL. Buffone, the son of a coal miner attended High School at Shannock Valley, PA.

College Career

Buffone played linebacker and offensive center from 1962-65 at the University of Louisville. Buffone is one of only four players to lead U of L in tackles for three consecutive seasons. The others are Mark Sander, Tom Jackson ('70-72) and Tyrus McCloud ('94-96).

Doug Buffone was a standout on both sides of the football during his career with the Cardinals, playing offensive center and linebacker from 1962-65. He remains the Cardinals' No. 3 all-time tackler with 479, just nine stops behind the program's all-time leader Mark Sander ('87-90). Veteran head coach Frank Camp said Buffone was "the most complete ball player I've ever coached." Strong testimony from a man who tutored NFL greats like Johnny Unitas, Lenny Lyles, Ernie Green and Ken Kortas.

NFL Career

Following his collegiate career, Buffone was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL Draft and the eighth round of the AFL by the San Diego Chargers. Buffone went on to play 15 seasons at linebacker for the Bears, retiring in 1980 as the all-time leader in games played for the legendary organization.

In his professional career, Buffone gathered more than 1,200 tackles, going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. He also had the honor of serving as defensive captain for eight seasons, beginning in 1972. Buffone retired with 24 career interceptions to lead all Bear linebackers. The first two career pickoffs of his storied career came off future Hall of Famers Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. His retirement from football also signaled the end of an era for the Bears as he was the last active Bear to have played for George Halas.

Post Football Career

Doug and his family currently reside in Chicago, where he remains heavily involved in Chicago sports and broadcasting. Doug was one of the founders of the Arena Football League, was involved in the USFL, and provided broadcast color commentary for the first NFL game (featuring the Bears and the Cowboys) in Europe.

He currently hosts "Chicago NFL Live" on The Score 670 AM, and recently completed 14 seasons of "The Doug Buffone Show" on FOX Sports Net Chicago. Other shows Buffone was involved in producing included The Neal Anderson Show for WBBM-AM, and The Mike Ditka Show for WSCR-AM.

Doug is an entrepreneur, and part owner of several Chicago area businesses, including "Gibson's Steak House", one of the most popular nightspots in Chicago's Rush Street area, and Digital One, a video production and streaming video company in the Chicago suburbs.

Records and Accomplishments

• Doug played 186 games as a Bear. That's the third most-games-played among Bears.
• Doug had a career-high 158 tackles in 1972
• Doug had 11 solo tackles vs. New Orleans (10/6/74)
• Doug holds the Bears record for most career interceptions (24)
• Doug holds the Bears record for most sacks in a season (18 in 1968)
• Doug was voted into the Louisville Hall of Fame with Johnny Unitas in 1979