“Buster” Ramsey is one of the most accomplished football players to ever come out of East Tennessee. An all-state and All-Southern guard at Knoxville High in 1938, Ramsey went on to William & Mary College, where he was twice All-Southern Conference and selected as All-American in 1942, the first player to receive that honor in the history of the college. That same year, Ramsey led the school to its first and only Southern Conference Championship. After college and a stint in the military, Ramsey began a professional career with the Chicago Cardinals in 1946. In 1947 he helped lead the Cardinals to their first NFL championship. During his pro career, Ramsey was named All-Pro three times. His playing days finally over, he entered the coaching profession, serving as an assistant for the Detroit Lions from 1951 through 1960. During those years, the Lions won two NFL championships. He left the Lions in 1960 for the head coaching position with the Buffalo Bills in the AFL. After three seasons with the Bills, he went to the Pittsburgh Steelers to serve as assistant coach. It was after the 1964 season that Ramsey retired to his farm in Blount County, near Maryville. The recipient of the Amateur Football Award of the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in 1976, “Buster” Ramsey achieved much in his football career and brought much pride and recognition to the state of Tennessee.
