The UGLIEST Contract Negotiation in Buffalo Bills HISTORY | Jim Braxton

During the 1976 NFL season, Buffalo Bills fullback Jim Braxton attempted to renegotiate his contract with owner Ralph Wilson. The negotiations got so ugly that Braxton wound up demanding a trade, Wilson wound up insulting Braxton in the process, and Wilson wound up calling out the newspapers and the local press. This is the story behind what might be one of the ugliest contract negotiations in the history of the Bills
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Teams that Jim Braxton played for:
1971 Bills
1972 Bills
1973 Bills
1974 Bills
1975 Bills
1976 Bills
1977 Bills
1978 Bills
1978 Dolphins
Members of the 1976 Bills:
Benny Ricardo
John Leypoldt
George Jakowenko
Marv Bateman
Joe Ferguson
Gary Marangi
Van Green
Steve Freeman
Clifford Brooks
Doug Jones
Roland Hooks
William Anderson
Dwight Harrison
Mario Clark
Bo Cornell
OJ Simpson
Vic Washington
Andy Reid
Jim Braxton
Darnell Powell
Jeff Kinney
Clayton Heath
Eddie Ray
Tony Greene
Keith Moody
Roscoe Word
Mark Johnson
Dan Jilek
Merv Krakau
Mike Montler
Tom Ruud
John Skorupan
Bob Nelson
Bill Adams
Willie Parker
Jeff Yeates
Bob Patton
Reggie McKenzie
Joe DeLamielleure
Ken Jones
Joe Devlin
Mike Kadish
Donnie Green
Jeff Lloyd
Ben Williams
Dave Foley
Marty Smith
John Holland
Bob Chandler
Sherman White
Tody Smith
Fred Coleman
Mike Holmes
Emmett Edwards
Paul Seymour
Reuben Gant
Bob Gaddis
Lou Saban (head coach)
Jim Ringo (head coach)
Ralph Wilson (owner)

[@bdautch20]

I went to elementary school with his son, Justin Braxton. He was a very nice kid and full of laughter and fun despite losing his dad to cancer at a very young age. I believe this shows the admirable character of Jim Braxton as well as his wife for raising such a kind and warm son.

[@alpoique6173]

I played against his son in little league. Jim would come and the announcer would ask if he would stsnd up and the people would applaud him.

[@CJBroonie]

My dad and Mr. Braxton were friends. I remember him well as a child being a little older than his sons. He was the nicest, kindest man.

[@blackhawkswincup2010]

Bubby Braxton was a fine fullback. He blocked like there was no tomorrow, and he gained a lot of yards when the defense was looking for OJ. Always liked him.

[@chadwickwhite6107]

Jim Braxton was STILL BETTER than SPIKING the BALL into the ground on EVERY single OFFENSIVE play!!!!!

[@ronaldj.granieri5355]

Your discussion of the 1975-76 offseason should consider that OJ spent the entire period announcing that he would retire unless he was traded to a West Coast team. (He wanted to make movies and prepare for his post-football life.) Wilson tried to organize a trade to the Rams and even the Raiders, but no one would offer quality in return. So, Wilson offers OJ what was for the time a blockbuster contract ($2 million for three years) that OJ signed literally the day before the season opener. That drama created massive dissension on the team, contributed to Lou Saban's dissatisfaction, and probably also wore out the front office's willingness to renegotiate much of anything. The only thing one can say positively about OJ in that year is that his 1503 yards were mostly gained in the last 11 games of the season since he did nothing the first three weeks while getting back into game shape.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@matthewdaley746 I can say many positive things about O.J. the football player. It doesn't mask the fact that he's a horrible human being.

[@atlasking6110]

Then the Bills got 4 top draft picks for the Psycho Murderer and competely blew the first three (Tom Cousineau much?) before finally getting a hit on Joe Cribbs.

[@DolFan316]

You aren't kidding. OJ averaged just 35 yards rushing per game the first 3 games of '76 and 127.1 yards per game the last 11.

[@tkbuffalo3758]

This is a great watch for younger people who call the current Bills owner CHEAP, boy oh boy , they clearly didn't know what Ralph Wilson was like for MUCH of his life and time with the Bills.

[@RichV20]

Does anyone call the current Bills owners cheap. If anything, I think the Pegulas are pound-foolish. They just signed Josh Allen to that insane $250 million contract.

[@levikatriel]

Here are two other notable contact negotiations that Official Jaguar Gator 9 made videos about. 1. One 49er had his dad call the team and negotiate his contract for him. 2. Another 49er was holding out over a contract dispute, when a fan resolved the contract dispute and ended the holdout.

[@ronsmac]

Wow, he was only 36 when he died.

[@roman14032]

jim braxton was a hell of a nice guy

[@GoodNews-px2im]

I will always be thankful for Ralph Wilson bringing football back to Buffalo, but he had a way of micromanaging that held the team back. He’s the reason Flutie didn’t play in the Wild Card game in Tennessee and why it took 22 years to find Jim Kelly’s replacement.

[@RichV20]

Although not hoping Ralph Wilson would pass away, most Bills fans knew the team would continue to go nowhere while he was still owner. The teams future in Buffalo was also still in doubt while he was alive. No one in Bills Mafia were shocked after he died and the team was sold that the playoff drought was broken and the Bills became Super Bowl contenders after that.

[@davidcobb2693]

They should place busts of Jim Braxton and Reggie McKenzie in front of OJ's in the HOF because they plowed the way for OJ to get into the open field so he could exhibit his slashing style ( as a runner ) as he cut through the layers of LB's and DB's. Here's a trivia nugget, Kicker George Jakowenko was the Oakland Raiders kickoff specialist for 6 games during the 1974 season and his short kickoff to start the famous " Sea of Hands " Divisional Playoff game was returned 89 yards for a TD by Miami's Nat Moore.

[@morghenmurdochlundgren8640]

You forgot to mention the rest of O.J.Simpsons accolades like HE WAS A GODDAMN MURDERER!

[@renwickhumphrey9498]

Cut them people heads off

[@nasetvideos]

Another well done video. Such a pleasure watching these on a daily basis. So much work and research goes into them. Great job!

[@joeterzio7175]

I do not remember that NY Giants helmet logo seen at 4:55. Apparently they only used it for one year -- 1975.

[@jamesage24]

Wow, I had to look those up. I don't ever remember seeing that logo on the helmets.

[@alice_evermore]

Yes; they only wore that logo in 1975, also, that was their only season playing in Shea Stadium in Queens.

[@DolFan316]

The lowly 5-9 Giants somehow not only beat the Bills, but held them to 14 points when the '75 Bills were averaging 30 per game!

[@joeterzio7175]

@@jamesage24 I don't remember them either. They went to the "ny" logo as we know it today the following year.

[@jamesage24]

@@joeterzio7175 Actually, I think they went with the underlined GIANTS logo for a couple decades, then returned to the NY.

[@pgo301]

Brax was a sure 1st down in a high % of chances. It's for certain OJ wouldn't have gotten his records if not for Brax's input to this offense. Brax could be just as dangerous as OJ, especially in 3rd downs and that wore out the defenses. Brax gave us a lot of great memories.

[@stevep8445]

$8500 today is $13,411.

[@michaelrisman3199]

Great FB and a great guy from what I heard over the years. He was a huge part of the electric company.We have had at least 3 exceptional #34s over the years.

[@martincaidin4166]

The were right to lowball him, considering he went south right after signing the extension.

[@misterresister8271]

Damn Braxton's 1975 season would have been fantastic for another team's #1 running back, but he was a blocking fullback and the team's second running option.

[@mikepastor.k6233]

Over 800 yards in only 14 games. Yeah. Real good season for him and the Bill's offense was #1 that year. 😮

[@misterresister8271]

Forget the K-Gun and no-huddle offense, I love the 1975 Bills offense -30 pts and over 200 yards rushing per game, Joe Ferguson tossing a league leading 25 TDs, etc. I see that in addition to the Bills losing Jim Braxton for virtually the entire 1976 season, they also traded (?) wide receiver JD Hill to the Lions. Hill was a high first round pick, made the pro bowl in 1972, and appeared to be having a solid career w the Bills considering how much they ran the ball. Does anyone know why Hill left the Bills after a 7 TD 1975 season? Differences with the front office or coaching staff?

[@phillipbraxton6149]

Thank you for doing this 💪🏽

[@isthiswherewecamein6130]

My mother went to high school with him. She's always said what a nice guy he was. Decent to everyone. And growing up where he went to school, I've never heard a bad word about him. Just watched his grandson a few years back, another great HS running back.

[@dougdrazga4461]

The pride of Connellsville High School near Pittsburgh. I think he played for Bobby Bowden at West Virginia, too. I had no idea he was so young when he passed.

[@FEARTHEEER1]

He played his first couple years for Jim Carlen at West Virginia, then his last year for Bobby Bowden when he took over for Carlen (1970).

[@fatherpeace6486]

Braxton almost always fumbled the ball in critical moments

[@xxofjd]

Facts

[@scottconner7930]

45 Years Ago

[@jerryjanik480]

It's just another day in the life of the Buffalo Bills in the Buffalo Bills fan thank you for making these videos about the the Bills big3 leaving with Jim Butler with Ralph Wilson and Doug Flutie

[@JoeBobTarheel]

1:42 don't forget Murderer & Thief! 😄😄😄

[@xp8969]

Just like George Bush and Ronald Reagan

[@cowboyplayindrummer]

bears @ packers 1980 please?

[@atlasking6110]

Hate to defend Ralph Wilson, but the Buffalo Sports Media's attempts to run the team have always led to disaster. Cases in point: Rob "Epic Loserface" Johnson and Nathan "5 INT's in one half" Peterman. And when some loser coach like Wade "I'm the Bum" Phillips *let* the Buffalo media run the team, yep, disaster.

[@williamford9564]

1:08: Is this his knee injury in 1976? The sequencing seems odd. Later on you show his "one carry" in 1976 and then leap forward. Why wasn't this scene shown at that point?

[@CTubeMan]

Jim Braxton wore #34 for Buffalo, then went to Miami. This is the last time that would happen.

[@violentshemp7776]

except when it wasn't

[@ericfitzgerald9214]

@@violentshemp7776 *Thurman Thomas 200?

[@tygrkhat4087]

It wasn't even the first time. Cookie Gilchrist played for Miami after the Bills, although there was a stop in Denver before that.

[@violentshemp7776]

@@ericfitzgerald9214 yes, 2000 and cookie, but he wore #2 for miami

[@garrisonthad]

Imagine the physical punishment this guy took throughout his career. These players deserve more healthcare benefits.

[@karlcooper8460]

That offer was insulting though but I still would have told him to take a hike hell that might have been a better option.

[@joachimguderian4048]

Not to mention that Ralph Wilson was notoriously cheap

[@ronsmac]

I had his football card when I was a kid.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci for the algorithm.

[@georgetoplenszky7062]

One big fault in j.Braxton-- A fumbler.

[@williamcoolidge9884]

You don't understand that with new contracts in the NFL you get paid for what you're going to contribute, not what you've already contributed. You would make a bad GM. As things played out clearly Braxton had his best years behind him. Your commentary is bizarre.

[@jasonfullerton7763]

You forgot to mention "ex-convict" in the list of OJ's accomplishments.

[@billygunn7180]

The Juice paid his debt to society. He probably wasn't even there. He has arthritis, for crying out loud. Good day, sir. Go, Bills !

[@johnt.kennedy3856]

@Billy Gunn wasn’t there?!.... there is a tape of him stealing the stuff.

[@billygunn7180]

@@johnt.kennedy3856 I wasn't talkin' about the hotel heist. Hey, that reminds me. If they had film of The Juice, they must be filming people fornicating in those hotel rooms. Look out!

[@johnt.kennedy3856]

@Billy Gunn audio tape. Think the guy who had the stuff recorded all of it.

[@billygunn7180]

@@johnt.kennedy3856 I'm remembering video. Unless maybe dudes in room set up a camera. I gotta see how long ago that was.

[@josephnicolino8529]

Damn, you didn't say your line in this video.

[@B3Band]

How long do you spend figuring out the optimal words to put in all caps?

[@chrisuncleahmad]

Jim Braxton scored 3 touchdowns in a 1975 Thanksgiving game at St. Louis, which you can learn more about from a previous JG9 story

[@southlake631]

Jim Braxton passed away in 1986.

[@tkbuffalo3758]

Jim Braxton ; died too young sadly.

[@morghenmurdochlundgren8640]

I wonder if his percentage would've been affected if the team SPIKED THE BALL ON EVERY DOWN.LOL

[@scottfarmer8758]

It is true that Ralph Wilson was a cheap owner. It wasn't until Marv Levy became head coach that he finally started to pay big money for players. For being such a cheap owner, it surprises me that he's in the Hall of Fame.

[@CTPark-so5sk]

He was CHEAP back in the 70s. I also think he was instrumental in running Chuck Knox out of Buffalo because he was cheap.

[@markmurphy558]

Who do you think runs the HOF? Not the players.

[@RichV20]

Ironically, Marv Levy was signed as Bills head coach because he was the cheapest option available with NFL head coaching experience. When Marv was up for contract negotiations, Ralph told Marv to write down what you think I should pay you. Marv wrote down a number, Ralph looked at it and said OK and shook his hand. Marv said afterwards that he wrote a lower number because he didnt think Ralph would pay anything higher.

[@scottfarmer8758]

@@markmurphy558 Ralph Wilson is in the Hall of Fame because of longevity and that he kept the Bills in Buffalo.

[@danielhamilton1130]

Really this was worse than the joe cribbs ???

[@karlcooper8460]

He wore a lineman cage yuk!

[@jamescaldwell2616]

So did Bo Jackson

[@karlcooper8460]

@@jamescaldwell2616 Bo wore a half cage besides he was Bo he could do whatever the he'll he wanted to do.

[@violentshemp7776]

it only takes 1 time to get a finger in your eye........

[@chefo.g7191]

Bo wore a full cage

[@karlcooper8460]

Blocking backs came a dime a dozen even back then.

[@violentshemp7776]

not quality ones

[@ice-iu3vv]

@@violentshemp7776 yeah what does he think he's talking about ? dime a dozen? well there havent been a dozen in the game's history. mack strong, lorenzo neal, braxton, daryl johnston, um, we need 8 more to get our first dozen. when the lions got a blocking back for barry sanders he gave them a 2000 yard season. not sure what karl coopers issue is with blocking backs, but whats up with his making 200 comments in a day ? confused by this guy lol.

[@violentshemp7776]

@@ice-iu3vv just read lower in the comments, braxton must have pooped in karl's breakfast or something.

[@frankjohnson5936]

@@violentshemp7776 lmao

[@FEARTHEEER1]

Not like Braxton, they didn't.

[@darkspartan8884]

Can you please do cowboys biggest win against the eagles I believe it was on October 9,1966

[@alfjgist]

Not mentioning that the Bills offense was at the top of the league in spite of quarterback play is worse than spiking the ball on every single play. Jk. Another great video by JG9

[@richdouglas2311]

Braxton died at 37 due to cancer. A lot of players who played primarily on artificial turf back in those days have died young from cancer.

[@CTPark-so5sk]

Bobby Chandler also died of cancer and Joe Ferguson has battled cancer twice! Makes you wonder?

[@RichV20]

@@CTPark-so5sk Yet OJ walks free on the golf courses of Florida.

[@karlcooper8460]

Move to buffalo???he wasn't too bright either.

[@stevep8445]

Jim Kelly, who didn't want to play in Buffalo when he was drafted. At all. He went to the USFL just so he didn't have to. He moved to Buffalo years ago and loves it there.

[@xp8969]

Most athletes who play in Buffalo end up spending the rest of their lives there because they feel like Buffalo is one of the best cities in the entire country, having been to more than 30 states I can see why

[@karlcooper8460]

@@xp8969 Buffalo sucks especially in the winter besides I have been through Buffalo a few times and I saw nothing special about that place at all.

[@karlcooper8460]

@@stevep8445 he must live on the outskirts somewhere but even so the winters there are god-awful.

[@karlcooper8460]

Jim Braxton was nothing more than a blocking back for O.J he should have been thankful to have a job actually I would have told him to take a hike.

[@xp8969]

Your account is only a month old and you've already left nearly 200 comments just on this channel all by itself, it sounds like you need a job 😂💩🤡💩😂

[@karlcooper8460]

@@xp8969 how in the hell do you know this about me it sounds like you not only need a job your damn self you need a life who are you anyway Mark Zuckface or Jack Dorcal Finn Dorcey?

[@karlcooper8460]

He was a black Jim kick nothing more.

[@stevep8445]

Well, Jim Kiick wasn't a fullback for starters...

[@xp8969]

@@stevep8445 Karl can't help it, he has no brain

[@karlcooper8460]

@@stevep8445 you get the point though he wasn't (the man) either.

[@kimblandino]

Braxton couldn't execute as a receiver anywhere close to Kiick. Kiick couldn't run with a fraction of the power of Braxton. Although they were both proficient blockers, they were totally different players in terms of skill set.

[@wvufreak56]

@@stevep8445 Jim Kick couldn't block and would not have made a pimple on Big Jim Braxton's ass! May he RIP!

[@karlcooper8460]

I make more money than he did wow!

[@stevep8445]

Yeah, you make more money in TODAY's Dollars. Convert your salary to 1976 dollars or 1976 dollars to today's. Always hate that when people say "Back then a bleacher ticket to a game cost $6" etc etc

[@xp8969]

@@stevep8445 lmfao, Karl's not too smart

[@karlcooper8460]

@@stevep8445 yea yea I know about the cost of living,yesterday's dollars yada yada yada but if you really think about it that was chump change even back then that's why Ralph Wilson was called cheap.