Joe Ferguson was a professional American football quarterback who played for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on October 16, 1950, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Woodlawn High School in Shreveport.
Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he was the starting quarterback for three seasons from 1970 to 1972. He led the Razorbacks to a 22-8-1 record during his tenure and was named the Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1971.
Ferguson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Bills, where he became the franchise's all-time leading passer with 27,590 yards and 181 touchdowns. He led the Bills to the playoffs three times during his tenure, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 1980.
In 1985, Ferguson was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he played for two seasons. He then spent one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before finishing his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990.
Throughout his career, Ferguson was known for his strong arm and ability to throw deep passes. He was also a durable player, starting 164 games in his career and playing in 197 total games.
After retiring from football, Ferguson worked as a color commentator for college football games on ESPN and CBS. He also served as a quarterbacks coach for the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers.
Ferguson was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he runs a real estate business.
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