Archives for June 1, 2005

‘The second annual Turf Jam ’05 will kickoff at 10 p.m. and will feature celebrity karaoke from many of your favorite Buffalo Bills. The event is benefiting Bills punter Brian Moorman’s Punt Foundation, a group that helps Western New York children that are fighting chronic and terminal illnesses.’

‘Gates is the first of the Bills six draft picks to sign with the team.’

‘Running back Lionel Gates, a seventh-round choice of the Bills, is the first of the team’s six picks in the 2005 draft to come to contract terms. The former Louisville star signed a three-year, $959,000 contract that includes a $34,000 signing bonus and league standard minimum base salaries for all three years. Although he started just eight games during his college career, splitting time with fellow 2005 draftee Eric Shelton in the backfield, Gates is regarded as a solid prospect.’

‘"What I have found is, I shouldn’t run away from these past stories," he said. "But the art of it is: How do I transition from these stories and really connect with people? I want to do that for the right reasons in order to give a more important message. And that’s what I try to do."’

‘"I travel a lot, and for me to be able to sit at my home and to be able to talk to my wife and three kids, and tell each and every one of them that I love them and miss them, for me that’s huge," he said. "I said, ‘Why can’t we do this with the military? Why not military families?’ and they (5LINX) just took the idea and ran with it."’

‘Rumors of a political run for Kelly are not new, but what is notable is renewed interest in Kelly by Republican party bosses, particularly given the dire financial situation in Kelly’s home base of Erie County.’

‘During the Buffalo Bills’ dominance of the AFC in the 1990s, coach Marv Levy referred to one man as his secret weapon. Not quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas or defensive end Bruce Smith, stars of the team, but a more obscure figure working behind the scenes…’

‘Have you kept in touch with any of your old teammates? Do you still feel like you are part of the Bills team? Thanks for the memories, the 1960 Bills are a big part of my youthful memories.

BS: Absolutely, that was a close, close group. When we come back every year in September for the reunion, it’s amazing how many of those guys come back. Stu Barber, Paul Maguire, Dick Hudson, Mike Stratton, Howard Kindig, Gene Sykes, all live in the south. I see them at golf tournaments around a whole lot more often than I see some of the other guys, but a great number of those guys still live in Buffalo. We certainly see them. It was a very close knit group of folks who have stayed in contact over the years.’