Michael R. Montler (January 11, 1944 – December 13, 2018) was an American football guard, center and offensive tackle who played ten seasons in the American Football League and in the National Football League for the Boston/New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and the Detroit Lions.
No. 64, 53, 52, 63 | |||||
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Position: | Guard, Center, Offensive tackle | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | (1944-01-11)January 11, 1944 Columbus, Ohio | ||||
Died: | December 13, 2018(2018-12-13) (aged 74) Grand Junction, Colorado | ||||
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
Weight: | 254 lb (115 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | St. Mary's HS (Columbus, OH) | ||||
College: | Colorado | ||||
NFL Draft: | 1969 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32 | ||||
Career history | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||
Montler played college football at the University of Colorado where he was All-American in 1968.
In 1973, his fifth year in the NFL, he became the starting center of the Bills,[1] replacing Remi Prudhomme, splitting time with Bruce Jarvis, centering between Reggie McKenzie at left guard and Hall-of-Famer Joe DeLamielleure at right guard, for a fine 9-5 team, when O.J. Simpson became the first running back to rush for over 2,000 yards. In 1974, Montler won the job away from Jarvis, starting in all 14 games for another 9-5 season.[2] The Bills lost ground in 1975 with a won-lost record of 8-6, despite having the best offense in the entire NFL with 420 points (30.0 points/game). For the second year in a row, Montler played all 14 games between McKenzie and DeLamielleure in the stout middle of the Bills offensive line.[3] Although the same trio played together in all 14 games in 1976,[4] the team sagged to 2-12, an offense worth 20th place in scoring and a defense 24th in points allowed. Montler was replaced by 5-year pro Willie Parker.[5]
Montler became the starting center for the Denver Broncos in 1977 for all 14 games and the Detroit Lions in 1978, but only in 4 games.
Montler died on December 13, 2018, aged 74 in Grand Junction, Colorado.[6]
1968 College Football All-America Team consensus selections | |
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Offense |
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Defense |
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Boston Patriots 1969 NFL draft selections | |
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