Archives for March 2014

‘Since joining his seven fellow compatriots, led by Lamar Hunt, in getting the American Football League off the ground, Wilson has overseen the development of a franchise which can boast 17 playoff appearances, 10 division crowns and four AFC championships along with two AFL titles (1964-65).’

‘”No one loved the game of football more than Ralph Wilson,” Brandon said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. “They don’t make ’em like Ralph Wilson, they just don’t.”‘

‘Wilson, the founder of the Bills and the only owner they have ever known, passed away at his Detroit-area home. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, Wilson is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters, Christy and Edith.’

‘Other charitable work includes thousands of dollars in grants to improve athletic fields in the Buffalo area and contributions to the Food Bank of WNY, the United Way, Ronald McDonald House, Shea’s Performing Art Center, SPCA of Erie County and the Hospice Center of Western New York, among other benefactors.’

‘It is also ironic that when the tour was wrapping up, which may have been close to the hour of Wilson’s passing, that the team’s Vice President for Marketing and Broadcasting said something, that Wilson himself might have said, had he been here.’

‘Nola was sad to hear of Wilson’s passing and is concerned what it will mean for the future of the Bills. “We don’t want to see this team move. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the transition time comes. It could be Toronto, it could be San Antonio, it could be any place, but we want it right here in Buffalo,” said Nola.’

‘US Senator Chuck Schumer: Ralph was a hero for the Bills, Western New York and for all of football. He gave Western New York an institution that became as much a part of the community’s DNA as harsh winters, hard work and the glorious Falls. He loved the Bills and Western New York with every fiber of his being and the legacy of my dear friend will reverberate in Western New York and in the game of football for generations to come.’

‘Wilson was a founding owner in the AFL. Miller said he led the way for the AFL to merge with the NFL, creating the league we know today. And if he didn’t plant a team in Buffalo when he did, Miller said the economics of the league today would make it impossible to move one to the Queen City.’

‘”Ralph Wilson was a driving force in developing pro football into America’s most popular sport.”‘

””I speak for everyone within the Bills organization when I say that we are all suffering a deep and profound sadness with the passing of our Hall of Fame owner Mr. Wilson,” said Bills CEO and President Russ Brandon. “We have lost our founder, our mentor, our friend, and this is a very difficult time for us all. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, his daughters Christy and Dee Dee (Edith), his niece Mary and his entire family.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills have announced a multi-year partnership with Duff’s Famous Wings that will bring the Western New York staple to Ralph Wilson Stadium gamedays. Duff’s will serve boneless wings in their four branded concession stands, along with bone-in and boneless wings in the suites and clubs.’

‘”What’s interesting about him is he can play an outside corner and play it well. He can play nickel and start at nickel and that would be a good competition in there,” said Marrone. “He’s also a physical player who had about 70 tackles and four fumble recoveries (last year) where he may be in the mix at the safety spot.”‘

‘”This incredible man was the personification of the Buffalo Bills. His life was grit, determination and resolve. He was bigger than life in many ways and yet he was the everyday man, driving his Ford Taurus to the local store and greeting everyone as they called out “Hi Ralph!” He will be greatly missed by those in our community whose lives he touched.”‘

‘Kelly’s wife, Jill, wrote on her personal blog last week that “the cancer’s back, aggressive, and starting to spread.”‘