Wilson was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1918 and attended the University of Virginia. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to the United States and began his career in professional football. He was a minority owner of the Detroit Lions from the 1950s until his purchase of the Bills in 1960.
Wilson was a pioneer in the NFL, becoming the first owner to hire an African-American head coach (Buddy Ryan) and the first to hire a female executive (Peggy Brown). He was also the first owner to move his team to a new city (Toronto) and the first to build a stadium with a retractable roof.
Wilson was a key figure in the development of the NFL and was a major proponent of the league's merger with the American Football League (AFL) in 1970. He was also a driving force behind the creation of the NFL's salary cap and was a key figure in the league's expansion into Canada.
Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named the NFL's "Man of the Year" in 2010. He was also the recipient of the NFL's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Ralph Wilson was a major figure in the NFL for over five decades and his legacy will live on for many years to come. He was a pioneer in the league and his contributions to the sport of football will be remembered for generations.
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