ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will wear patches bearing the initials "RCW" on their jerseys this season in honour of late owner Ralph Wilson.

The patch will be featured on the jersey presented to the player Buffalo selects in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night.

Wilson died in March. He was the Bills' sole owner, and founded the franchise in 1959 as one of the inaugural members of the American Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

Wilson's widow, Mary, said her late husband would have been honoured by the tribute. She called the patch a "fitting acknowledgement" of his commitment to the team and western New York.