I am 57.
I do remember the Purple People Eaters.
I also remember they went to the Super Bowl 4 times and lost. Just like the Bills.
I also recall that back when Fran was running the gridiron DB backs were big FAT guys that could not run very fast. Linebackers were on average about 230 lbs. Free and strong safeties were also quite a bit smaller.
Fran would not survive very long in todays NFL. The defensive players are way too fast and much more muscular than they were back in his day. Fran was akin to Doug Flutie.
Good to hear that we are the same generation and that you grew up with the likes of Tarkenton. I agree with your observations. Back then, the top linebackers, like Nick Buoniconti, were 220 lb., and as great as they were, they can’t change the laws of physics.