I’ve ran into current Bills players on two occasions, like almost literally, ran into them:
1) We were trying to exit the galleria mall while EJ Manuel was trying to come in the same door. He was with a few other guys, none of who I immediately recognized mostly because I was so surprised to look up and see him right there. This was his 2nd or 3rd year in the league. He must have realized we were staring because he gave us the ole head nod, and kept it moving. Guy looked like an average Joe in street clothes.
2) At SoHo Burger bar downtown buffalo late one August night, we were heading upstairs to the rooftop bar and as we turned to continue upward, we stop to let a guy go up right before us. My wife says, “isn’t that Ronald Darby?”. I told her absolutely not, there is no way. That dude is tiny. As soon as we get upstairs, we immediately run into an entire entourage highlighted by Sammy Watkins, who was being mobbed by the local woo girls (he looked like he had zero interest). I didn’t interact with any of them at the time, but Sammy’s demeanor was off-putting from a far.
BONUS:
My only non-bill I’ve run into was John Randle. He was at a bar in Buffalo, presumably after the Kelly golf tournament circa 2014. He flicked me off using the old crank-up the middle finger trick. Good times.
Also, I’ve also met Thurman Thomas’ daughter. My friend tried to hit on her. No dice.
It was a great party though!