Contact Us
Honoring a Legecy

Bob Chandler

Hall of Fame Inductee

GREATER BUFFALO
SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Induction Ceremony and Dinner Gala Benfiting the Amateur Sports Development Fund - 33rd-annual-dinner-announcement-November-8-2023

The Bob Chandler Foundation is proud to announce that the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame named Bob as part of its class of 2023 inductees. Marisa Chandler Jamieson, Bob’s oldest daughter, traveled to Buffalo in June to attend the official press conference. The family attended the ceremony in November honoring all the inductees and are elated that Bob’s accomplishments were being recognized.

Those who knew Bob well can just imagine him saying, with a mischievous grin, “Hey, what took you guys so long?”

Buffalo Hall of Fame Families
The 2023 inductees into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (Marisa Chandler Jamieson there to represent Bob) at the press conference in June 2023
Marisa With Bobs Display
Marisa shown at the press conference’s Bob Chandler display
Family Honored
The Chandler Family is Honored and Proud of Bob's Induction Into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall Of Fame.

Why did the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame choose Bob Chandler?

Drafted in the seventh round by the Buffalo Bills in 1971, Chandler only saw limited action in his rookie season, finishing the season with just five receptions for 60 yards.

However, under new Bills head coach Lou Saban, Chandler began to see more playing time in his second season. He started all 14 games and scored his first professional touchdown in a 38-14 blowout over the New England Patriots. Over the next several seasons, he became a favorite target of quarterback Joe Ferguson.
In the three seasons from 1975-1977, Chandler led the NFL in receptions (176), and twice earned Second-team All-Pro (1975 and 1977). He was traded to Oakland following the 1979 season and played three seasons for the Raiders, including their Super Bowl XV championship season.
Chandler still ranks among the Buffalo Bill all-time receiving leaders. He is fifth in receiving touchdowns by a receiver (34), sixth in average yards per reception (13.6 yds.), ninth in total yards receiving (3,999), and tenth in receptions with 295.
Bill’s fans most likely remember Bob Chandler most for the tip-toe sideline reception, which he made with apparent relative ease. He was his quarterback’s, Joe Ferguson, favorite receiver target in the 1970s, and he and Joe would remain on the practice field for hours to work on pass patterns long after practice was over.

A quote from a tribute to Bob at his funeral: “Jim Braxton, Tony Greene, and Bob. Their friendship was special. Having these guys come into your restaurant, bar, or nightclub was like awarding a mobile 4-star rating to the establishment.” Bob chose these team members as close friends because they were similar to him: they didn’t let their celebrity status affect the way they treated people, and their work ethic paralleled the blue-color work ethic that characterized the Buffalo fans

Bob played in Buffalo for 9 years, leading all wide receivers with receptions in the NFL for a four-year period 1975-1978. He was picked for the All-Time 25 Year Team in Buffalo. He was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 1999.

“Members of the sports media will perhaps remember him not only for his achievements on the football field but also for his accessibility and patience in victory or defeat, and for treating them with respect. And it was Bob’s engaging smile and friendly mannerism that made him such a big hit with Bills’ fans. One of the most decent human beings to ever grace the Buffalo sports scene.” 

Michael H. Shaw, Lewiston, NY.