Background
Polian grew up in the Fordham section of the Bronx in New York City and graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in 1960.
professional football team executive
Polian grew up in the Fordham section of the Bronx in New York City and graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in 1960.
He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy and graduated from New York University in 1964 with a history degree.
He was the Vice Chairman of the of the National Football League from 1998 to 2011. He rose to league prominence as the General Manager of the, building a team that participated in four straight Super Bowls—the most consecutive appearances by any team—but lost each time. Following his stint in Buffalo, Polian went on to become the General Manager of the expansion At New York University, Polian played at safety for the New York University Violets football team
Lived in Cornwall, New York from 1977 to 1983.
Early on in his career, he was a coach for the now defunct football teams at Manhattan College and the Trinity School, both in New York City. Polian was General Manager in Buffalo from 1986 to 1992.
When Bill Polian was promoted to general manager of the on December 30, 1985, the Bills were suffering from back to back 2–14 seasons and fan interest was at an all-time low. Polian was originally hired as director of pro personnel for the Bills on August 2, 1984.
Polian was instrumental in the signing of Bruce Smith to his first NFL contract, after which he was promoted to General Motors in 1985.
After the 1992 season, on February 4, 1993, after the Bills had appeared in, and lost, their 3rd straight Super Bowl, Polian was fired as general manager. In 2012, Polian became the 28th inductee into the Wall of Fame. Polian was General Manager of the Panthers from 1995 to 1997.
This feat led him to a promotion, becoming not just the General Motors, but the President of the In 1998, Polian was hired as President and decided to build through the draft as the Colts would have the number 1 overall pick for 1998.
The Colts picked Peyton Manning. Polian was fired by owner Jim Irsay after the Colts finished with a 2–14 record in the 2011 season.
In 2012, Polian was hired by to be commentator and an NFL analyst.
Married Eileen Polian. Children: Lynn, Chris, Brian, Dennis.
