JoeF

I learned so much from Reggie. I can't even begin to quantify. He was demanding and intense, but I tend to be that way as well. He had an effusive personality and was really likable 98% of the time. One of those people that just has a leadership presence. Best way I can describe it, I would have days where I would be cussing about him to my peers but the next day I would be defending his vision and passion to others. I worked for him for a year. We clashed some but had a great mutual respect. When I left to take another job, there was a package at my going away party, a personal gift from him. A regulation Bills helmet, two 1994 Bills Superbowl Champion t-shirts (yes the ones that usually end up in a 3rd world country) and private notes from he and Mr. Wilson. I treasure all these things to this day. Its tough for me to give any perspective of him as a player or how he was when he played. The most amazing thing to me is that he was elected a city councilman in Cincy while still a player. I know him as a boss and saw him as a leader with vision. Have a great deal of love for him now and always will. The last few years have not been kind to him. His body is a wreck from his playing career. He almost had to have a lower leg amputated, but typical Reggie he refused and is now successfully managing life with one leg about 2 - 3 inches shorter than another. He started to run again last month.

In the few times I have had the chance to talk to a player/owner, I assume the last thing they want to talk about is football..usually start the conversation with something else. With Talley I talked about some Morgantown hangouts, with Flutie about Fred Lynn and Jim Rice and Yaz, with Ostroski about Tulsa and with Reed about a mutual friend we have...I think if you go in with the intent of just having a conversation like with anyone you meet, its better than focusing on celebrity. Also, I would never interrupt a family event, a date, a meal, etc...all these situations were in airports and we happened to be in the rental car line together (Talley) or waiting for the same flight with time to kill (Ostroski, Flutie, Reed, Rice) ...I just would see it as too much of an intrusion to approach someone who was at a family event, on a date or with a group of friends. I agree Kelly--its almost asking for the person to be rude. Gotta share one other one...I worked 15 years organizing Olympic style events (1985-99) around the world...it was a great start to a work career (I still have never felt like I have worked a day in my life)..I was working for Turner Broadcasting in 1994 on the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, RU..lots of stories from this one in that I lived in Russia basically half time for 18 months. Ted's got lots of sports friends who came to Russia for the games. I go into the bathroom at Opening Ceremonies and I'm peeing next to Jerry Jones. Russia is not exactly known for its hygiene and the bathroom smells like much of St. Petersburg -- stale, old urine.. I turn to Jerry and I say -- I know where there's a ton of Lysol and nose plugs but you can't have any since your Cowboys keep killing my Bills..he howled and made me walk back with him to Ted's seats for opening ceremonies and Ted says -- Jerry meet my funniest and hardest working Goodwill Games staff member...and welcome to Russia....one of my proudest moments as a Bills fan, but I violated my don't interrupt celebrities when they are otherwise occupied rule...

Congratulations on reaching 50K Tom. I think there should be some sort of award...a Golden Keyboard or something...maybe we could all pitch in.....

Never had a bad experience...met and chatted with Andre Reed, Jerry Ostroski, Doug Flutie, Darryl Talley and worked some with Kelly at the Gamblers in 1985...all really good people, all approachable. Nicest interactions I have had were with Ralph Wilson at the 1997 owners meeting in Orlando -- got to give him a golf cart tour of Disney's Wide World of Sports thanks to my boss (former Bengals Linebacker Reggie Williams) at the time who knew I was a huge Bills fan. About 45 minutes just talking about his life and showing him what was then a state of the art multi-sport athletic complex. Second was outside of the Bills. Was sitting in the Memphis airport waiting for a delayed flight and talking with Jerry Rice...simply just a wonderful person. Worked hard for everything he got and seemed like an obsessive perfectionist.

Too bad Slick Watts isn't eligible for mention..

Reminds me of Moneyball scene... Aaron Rogers has a ton of confidence.. Brady's footwork and accuracy Peyton's mind Newton's size Wilson's mobility Taylor's speed Roger's touch Luck's attitude Rivers' risk taking

Half the man he used to be....or is it double the man he was.....or maybe he thought he was an amoeba..

For those in the Raleigh area -- the Lincoln Theater will be streaming tonight's show beginning at 8 PM -- free... http://lincolntheatre.com/

Night 2 in Santa Clara was much better -- less Phil -- more Bobby, Trey and Bruce Hornsby. Billy and Mickey were on fire both nights during drums. I am married to a deadhead/hippie girl so it was a first experience for me--realized its more about the community, the love, the acid, the weed than the music -- even without partaking in the last two -- I had a great time. Had an inkling to go to Chicago but the business world got in the way,

bb.com posted a story that a "Bills player" is on tonight's show..

Welcome aboard B&C. In positive Bills news DE Bryan Johnson has been released. An open roster spot that will likely go to OT Wayne Hunter....the former Jet who politely offered to break Aaron Maybin in half...

I love his attitude but I would be shocked if he isn't a Bill this year. At worst, I think he will come up with a mysterious injury toward the end of camp if things aren't going well and he will go on limited IR or full year IR. His presence is needed. Lots of egos on this team and someone needs to keep everyone focused on the prize. That's Freddy on O; Kyle Williams on D.

Like grass fed beef...

Hunter is mentioned a lot in Collision Low Crossers --has not played in two years...Rex thought he had tremendous talent and had a really nasty temper.

Obviously....

Donahoe is the son of satan and drinks babies blood.... http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/23265-donahoe-is-the-son-of-satan/page-32 (Still one of my favorite threads ever and another 10th anniversary...)

Dare I say a third miracle ... St. Doug squared....?????

The guy is worth $6 million a year for his twitter musings alone...

Corey Graham leads the AFC in interceptions

Interesting that the Bills seemed hot on extending Cassel right after the trade and there has been little talk of that after OTA's began. I don't think he gets cut but I wonder if he is a one year experienced insurance policy...and the QB dollars occupies go to the draft or extending EJ or TT..

A complex issue and a complex person. A walking contradiction. XY physically/athletically, XX mentally...heterosexual preference, cross gender dress. America had the greatest male athlete in the world in our bicentennial year. A fricking Adonis and now 40 years later that athlete tells us that he/Caitlyn dealt with mental conflict over his/Caitlyn's outward expression of gender his/Caitlyn's entire life. I think its a great opportunity to bring a deeper understanding of the mind rather than just blow it off as batshit crazy. He's not the only one conflicted in this way, not by a long shot. Just like Michael Sam and Jason Collins aren't the only gay male pro team sport athletes. Bruce/Caitlyn is the only one willing to let the world try and understand whats going on in his/Caitlyn's noggin. Might be an interesting chance to learn. My answer to the thread question is "no". Heterosexual here--not interested in beans and franks and that's what we are talking here... However, still would like to understand how one of my favorite male athletes of all time struggles mentally with a seemingly debilitating issue...

Tiny Tim = Wilt Chamberlin??? Good luck with this female TRBJ...

He's completely innocent....he was provoked...... and my net worth is the same as Warrent Buffett's

Ty Powell is my pick. I see him getting about 30% of the defensive snaps or maybe a bit more subbing for Bradham and Brown and making a few big plays on special teams.

Mixed emotions for me. Obviously love the comeback win but I worked for the Houston Gamblers and thought the world of Jack Pardee, Jim Eddy and the coaching staff that ended up at the Oilers...Jack Pardee was absolutely one of the finest people I have had the chance to know. Every time I watch the video -- the excitement for the Bills is there but I also know how Coach Pardee and Coach Eddy felt after that game.