Jim Ailinger
Encyclopedia
Dr. James Joseph Ailinger (July 10, 1901-March 27, 2001) was an American football player for the Buffalo Bisons
of the National Football League
. Playing as a reserve on several positions on the offensive line for only one season, 1924
, he was, at the time of his death, the oldest surviving NFL player (Sam Dana
, who was born in 1903, assumed that title after Ailinger's death).
Ailinger was part of an initiative to boost gate attendance for the Buffalo franchise, mixing local talent such as Ailinger with big-name stars such as Benny Boynton, Eddie Kaw
, Pete Calac
and Swede Youngstrom
. He was paid US$50 for each game he was on the roster.
After the 1924 season, Ailinger swiftly retired (despite an offer to return to the team in 1925), and put the money he earned toward tuition for dental school. For fifty years afterward, Ailinger ran a successful dental practice in the city. He also remained involved in sports, officiating in 425 college football games (including several Army-Navy Game
s). He also spent time as the general manager of another Buffalo Bisons, a minor league hockey franchise
of the same name.
Buffalo (NFL)
Buffalo, New York had a turbulent, early-era National Football League team that operated under three different names and several different owners between the 1910s and 1920s...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Playing as a reserve on several positions on the offensive line for only one season, 1924
1924 Buffalo Bisons (NFL) season
The 1924 Buffalo Bisons season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-4-3, losing five games. They finished ninth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
, he was, at the time of his death, the oldest surviving NFL player (Sam Dana
Sam Dana
Sam Dana, born Sam Salemi was a former professional American football player who played running back for two seasons for the Hartford Blues and New York Yankees. At the time of his death, Dana was thought to be the oldest living NFL player.-External links:...
, who was born in 1903, assumed that title after Ailinger's death).
Ailinger was part of an initiative to boost gate attendance for the Buffalo franchise, mixing local talent such as Ailinger with big-name stars such as Benny Boynton, Eddie Kaw
Eddie Kaw
Eddie Kaw was an American football player. He attended Cornell University and graduated in 1923. Kaw was elected into the Sphinx Head Society during his senior year....
, Pete Calac
Pete Calac
Pedro "Pete" Calac was a professional football player who played in the Ohio League and during the early years of the National Football League...
and Swede Youngstrom
Swede Youngstrom
Adolph Frederick "Swede" Youngstrom was a professional football player. Over the span of his career in the National Football League, Youngstrom played with the Buffalo All-Americans, Canton Bulldogs, Buffalo Bisons, Cleveland Bulldogs and the Frankford Yellow Jackets. He also served as a...
. He was paid US$50 for each game he was on the roster.
After the 1924 season, Ailinger swiftly retired (despite an offer to return to the team in 1925), and put the money he earned toward tuition for dental school. For fifty years afterward, Ailinger ran a successful dental practice in the city. He also remained involved in sports, officiating in 425 college football games (including several Army-Navy Game
Army-Navy Game
The Army–Navy Game is an an American college football rivalry game between the teams of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The USMA team, "Army", and the USNA team, "Navy", each represent their services' oldest...
s). He also spent time as the general manager of another Buffalo Bisons, a minor league hockey franchise
Buffalo Bisons (AHL)
The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
of the same name.