The AFL conducted its college selection draft today. In an unusual, and even peculiar move, the Raiders deferred their first-round pick until 62 players had been chosen, before selecting Kentucky halfback
Rodger Bird. Whether they had made the pick and deferred the announcement or had actually not chosen a player until then wasn't entirely clear. They had announced their second-round pick, Missouri tackle
Butch Allison, several slots earlier, as the 57th overall pick, and had announced two further picks before announcing Bird.