Cookie Gilchrist facts for kids

Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist (born May 25, 1935 – died January 10, 2011) was an amazing American football player. He was known for his powerful running. Cookie played professionally in both the American Football League (AFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Cookie Gilchrist's Football Journey

Early Days and Canadian Success

Cookie Gilchrist was a star player at Har-Brack High School. In 1953, he helped his team win a co-championship. When he was still young, he signed a professional football contract with the Cleveland Browns. This signing was against the rules at the time.

Because of this, Gilchrist decided to go to Canada to play. He quickly became a top player there. In 1954, he won the Jim Shanks Trophy for the Sarnia Imperials. The next year, he won the Team MVP Award for the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen.

In 1956, he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He helped them win the Grey Cup championship in 1957. He also played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts. For five years in a row (1956-1960), he was named a divisional All-Star. He was also a strong linebacker. In his six years in the CFL, Gilchrist ran for 4,911 yards. He also caught passes for 1,068 yards.

Becoming an AFL Star

After his time in Canada, Gilchrist joined the Buffalo Bills in the new American Football League. The Bills had originally planned to draft another player, but that player chose the NFL. So, the Bills signed Gilchrist instead.

Cookie Gilchrist played as a powerful fullback and also kicked for the Bills. He was the very first player in the AFL to run for over 1,000 yards in a season. He gained 1,096 yards in 1962. That same year, he set an AFL record with 13 touchdowns. He was also named the AFL MVP.

In 1963, Gilchrist had an incredible game against the New York Jets. He ran for a professional football record of 243 yards and scored five touchdowns! Even though he only played for the Bills for three years (1962-1964), he is still one of their top rushers ever. He led the league in scoring in all three of his seasons with the Bills. In 1964, he helped the Bills win the AFL championship against the San Diego Chargers.

Cookie Gilchrist was known for being a very tough runner. He didn't shy away from contact. Many defensive players found it hard to tackle him. He was also an excellent blocker, which is very important for a running back.

Standing Up for What's Right

Gilchrist was also a leader off the field. In 1965, he led a successful boycott of the AFL All-Star game in New Orleans. This was an important moment for civil rights for black athletes. He and other players refused to play because of unfair treatment and racism they faced in the city.

Gilchrist was known for standing up for his beliefs. He often had disagreements with team management. He felt it was important to speak up for fairness, especially for black athletes. He was even the only athlete to turn down being honored in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He felt he wasn't paid fairly and saw it as a form of exploitation.

Later Career and Retirement

After his time with the Bills, Gilchrist was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1965. He also played for the Miami Dolphins in 1966. He returned to the Broncos in 1967. He retired in 1968 due to knee problems.

Cookie Gilchrist was an AFL All-Star for four years in a row (1962-1965). This means he was an All-Star for 10 straight years across both the CFL and AFL. He was also chosen as the fullback for the American Football League All-Time Team.

Life After Football

After retiring from football, Cookie Gilchrist continued to make a difference. In 1974, he started the United Athletes Coalition of America. This group helped former football players adjust to life after their playing careers ended. He even organized a benefit concert in Toronto in 1975 with famous musicians like Marvin Gaye.

Gilchrist continued to stand up for his principles. For a long time, he refused to be inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame. He wanted to be paid for his appearance, believing it was a matter of fair treatment. He was eventually convinced to change his mind, but he passed away before he could be officially inducted. He was honored posthumously (after his death) into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2017, the Bills finally announced his induction into their Wall of Fame.

In 2007, Gilchrist shared that he was being treated for throat cancer. He passed away on January 10, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After his death, doctors found that he had a brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This disease can affect behavior. Cookie Gilchrist had thought he might have CTE. He chose to donate his brain for scientific study to help researchers learn more about the disease.

Honors and Achievements

• He was the first player in the American Football League to run for over 1,000 yards in a season (1,096 yards in 1962).
• He once held the professional football record for most rushing yards in a single game (243 yards against the New York Jets on December 8, 1963).
• His jersey number 34 has been officially retired by the Buffalo Bills. This honors both him and another great player, Thurman Thomas.
• He was recognized by the Professional Football Researchers Association in their "Hall of Very Good" in 2013.
• He is a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.

See also

• List of American Football League players