Former Bills star QB Ferguson treated for cancer

.c The Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson is being treated for cancer at a Houston hospital.

Stephanie Dedeaux, spokeswoman for MD Anderson Cancer Center, said Friday that Ferguson was receiving treatment but declined further comment at Ferguson's request.

A message left at the Ferguson home in Louisiana by The Associated Press wasn't immediately returned.

Bills Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure said he learned of his former teammate's illness last week and has spoken to him by phone.

``He's in high spirits,'' DeLamielleure said. ``I told him everybody's praying for him. And I told him a couple of jokes to make him laugh.''

A third-round pick in 1973 out of Arkansas, Ferguson set several records during a 12-year career in Buffalo. He won nine games as a rookie, an NFL record that was broken last year by Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, who went 13-0.

Most of Ferguson's franchise records have since been broken by Jim Kelly, although Ferguson still holds the mark for most completions in a game - 38, set against Miami in 1983.

His best season was in 1981, when he had 3,652 yards passing and 24 touchdowns.

Ferguson also played for Detroit, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis before retiring after the 1990 season. In 186 career games, he finished with 29,817 yards passing and 196 touchdowns.

Ferguson was working for a real estate firm in Rogers, Ark. He previously was a quarterbacks coach at Louisiana Tech and Arkansas.