TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Charles E. Ferguson 1939–2023 Retired Professional Football Player, Western NY Community Leader
By Aaron Williams
R etired Professional Football receiver Charley Ferguson (Alpha Theta 1960) entered the Chapter Invisible on Feb- ruary 14, 2023, at 83. Born in Dallas, TX, on November 15, 1939, the eldest child of the late Rev. Herman and the late Juanita (née Rivers) Ferguson, Charles Edward Ferguson grew up in Galveston, TX. A natural athlete with a 6’5” stature, Ferguson, in his senior year of high school, was All-State in three sports: track, basketball, and football. When Ferguson graduated from Galves- ton’s Central High School, he earned more than 35 basketball scholarships and three football scholarships. Fergu- son was one of the first athletes from Galveston to play professional football. Ferguson attended Tennessee State University (TSU) on a football scholar- ship, majored in business administra- tion, earning a B.S. degree. While at TSU, he shared housing and developed life-long friendships with the late Hub- bard “Axe” Alexander, the late George
Balthazar, and Charles “Delly” Elion. He joined the Fraternity as a 1960 initiate of the Tennessee State University Chapter, the Alpha Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He had fond memories of serving as Dean of Pledgees. Over the years, he took delight in connecting with fraternity brothers such as Amos Otis, Rev. Gerald Durley, and others from across the country. After graduation, Ferguson, at 6-foot- 5 and 217 lbs., signed as a free agent in 1961 with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, where he played one year before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings. In 1963, Ferguson moved to the rival Amer- ican Football League (AFL), signing with the Buffalo Bills. His four seasons with the Bills was the pinnacle of his profes- sional football career. He was a member of the Bills' two AFL championship clubs in 1964 and 1965 and retired after the 1969 season.
Harrison Radiator (Delphi Corporation) in Lockport, New York. During this period (1970-2001), he held various positions, including Production Supervi- sor of Manufacturing and Labor Rela- tions Assistant for Equal Employment Opportunities. Ferguson held membership with the First Shiloh Baptist Church of Buf- falo, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Western New York, Inc. and was a founding member and first president of “ManUp” (Men Allied for the Need to Understand Prostate Cancer). Ferguson affiliated with the Buffalo (NY) Alumni and was honored when the chapter presented him with his 50-year white blazer. Over the years, Ferguson facilitated Buffalo Bills Alumni dona- tions for the local Kappa scholarship program and was instrumental in estab- lishing an endowment fund. Ferguson was a very active member of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation, Inc., serving as treasurer for many years.
After retiring from pro football, Ferguson worked in manufacturing at
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