Metal Man Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I have been out of the Buffalo are for almost 6 years now but until then grew up a Bills fan and have it deeply ingrained into who I am. Over that time I always would get a lot of grief from everyone about how crappy the team was and the typical 4 superbowl losses or wide right nonsense, but this year so far it seems to be getting a lot worse. I understand the team has hit a low it hasn't seen in a long time but now a lot of the usual 5hit talk is turning into pity and it is kind of annoying. I have had multiple people in the last three weeks ask me why I even bother anymore and that I should probably consider choosing a new team. I don't know how it works for most NFL fans but from what I know about growing up in the Buffalo area switching teams is not an option. I will admit a little bit of shame is creeping in and I don't like wearing my Bills stuff to work as much anymore, especially with tons of Jets and Giants fans around here, but there is no way I could ever have the same passion for another team. It isn't something you can just turn on and off and for some reason a lot of people don't seem to understand. My question for the community is what kind of experiences have any of the other out of town Bills fans had with fans of other NFL teams and how do you feel it is best to deal with them? Non-violent solutions only, a punch in the face to a junk talkin' Jets fan would feel great but just isn't practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I bumped into a Bills fan in Encinitas over the weekend. We both agreed the Bills are pathetic and RW needs to sell the team now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Haha, I'm in Charlotte -- what can they say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Only got a lot of ribbing this past weekend, because I'm back living in Jacksonville and their team won. Otherwise, mostly pity.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCBoston Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I was on top of a mountain in New Hampshire on Sunday at 3 pm. A fellow hiker at the summit saw my cap and gave me his condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amstel Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Unfortunately there's not much you can say or do. There's not much you can say about this years team (or the last ten years). I understand your feelings as I live about 4 miles from Giants stadium so you can imagine the grief I get from all the jets fans..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewsz1991 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Personally, the most embarrassing thing for me is that nobody roots against us. I have friends who are Dolphins, Patriots, packers, Broncoes, Jets, and a ton of other teams fans. None of them dislike us. It's almost like we're the nonthreatening friend of the whole entire league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWest Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 So far the 49er fans are much too worried about their own team, and the SF Giants are still making news. For those that do say anything, its mostly out of pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayman Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 In my experience people have thought low of us for uears already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b stein 22 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 (edited) I have been getting **** by Philadelphia fans since I started liking them. Its hard being a bills fan sometimes. Edited October 13, 2010 by b stein 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Personally, the most embarrassing thing for me is that nobody roots against us. I have friends who are Dolphins, Patriots, packers, Broncoes, Jets, and a ton of other teams fans. None of them dislike us. It's almost like we're the nonthreatening friend of the whole entire league. Or it's the condescending, yet growing-in-popularity "They're still in the league?" That one bothers me to no end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Man Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Personally, the most embarrassing thing for me is that nobody roots against us. I have friends who are Dolphins, Patriots, packers, Broncoes, Jets, and a ton of other teams fans. None of them dislike us. It's almost like we're the nonthreatening friend of the whole entire league. Now that you mention it I have noticed this too. I didn't think about it until now but you're right, it is kind of embarrassing. I guess the best sign of the Bills being relevant again is when we beat someone well enough or often enough for them to hate us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don't Make Me Ralph Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I'm in DC and for the first time in the 5 yrs that I've been down here nobody has given me too much grief - I get more people saying before they die they'd like to see the Bills win a Superbowl. Obviously I would too, better stop drinking and increase the excercise because its looks like we're in for a looooong run before anything like that happens - kind of impossible though because watching the Bills only promotes heavier drinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zow2 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I live in the mid-atlantic area and people think the Bills are just the dregs of the NFL. For the first time ever, I'm a bit embarrassed. I took the 2010 "Billieve" sticker off my car. I'm not encouraging my kids to wear their Bills stuff to school, because why should they endure other kids laughing about it. If they go 0-16, it's gonna be real tough on us out of town Bills fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Jersey Bills Fan Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 This year, my only response when football comes up is "did the season start yet?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pylon Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Being in Oregon, it's not like the Seahawks fans have anything they can say... It's usually just sympathetic pats on the back and actually sometimes get praise for sticking with a bad team for so long. As an adult, it's in my DNA already, but I have to admit it's tough to want to try to get my 6 year old son bought in to the Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronc24 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Being from Western Canada, being a Bills fan puts me in a definite minority. I don't have anyone I can relate to, complain with or (at one time) celebrate with. I have been told many times that I should just switch teams, but I have cheered for the Bills for over 30 years now and have suffered too damn much to quit now. I just hope Ralph dies before I do so perhaps I can see this thing get turned around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo39416 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Haha, I'm in Charlotte -- what can they say? +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I get a lot of people giving me condolences and trying to put a good light on it - after the NE game they said things like "They played a good game - look at how many points they put up against us - they could have won". I feel like they were giving me a participation medal for the Special Olympics because we tried hard and now they are expecting me to get on the short bus and get the hell out of here..... This from people who know next to nothing about football and couldn't name any players on the team beyond Brady, Welker and Moss...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBows Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I don't really mind hearing that we suck. We do. there's nothing we can do about it, and no defense this year. But what really bothers me is when they say that our fans are awful and that it's the reason we're going to lose our team and move to another city. That one hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowery4 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I live in Thailand and really nobody knows anything about American football, much less the Bills. One thing about here tho it is like a very big insult to call someone a Buffalo (but in reality they are talking about water buffalos and usually they are saying he's stupid like a Buffalo). Last year my sister sent me a shirt that is for cheerios, which says my city smells like cheerios on the front and on the back it says born in Buffalo. No one can read it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels20X6 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I'm back in Ottawa, Canada after a stint in San Fran...I couldn't talk ANY of my fellow Bills fans in the city into the annual road trip (which used to be 4 trips) to Ralph Wilson to take in a game. First time in at least 7 years I haven't seen a Bills game live. Frankly, I don't think I'm missing out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l< j Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Here in Browns country (near the border with Steelerland), I don't like to talk football. I cope with either silence or passive aggression ("come on, your team stinks, too", which doesn't work with the Steelers fans, though). I have had friendly bets with a family member and a former colleague on Bills/Browns games for the past few years, and now I am really dreading that December contest. kj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zow2 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 one of my co-workers just saw me washing out my Bills coffee mug (which i use everyday). He says to me..."what's up with your Bills? i hear they are gonna move to Toronto or LA or something". I just shook my head and babbled something aboout #1 draft pick, rebuild this thing..etc.. ugh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scraps Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Being from Western Canada, being a Bills fan puts me in a definite minority. I don't have anyone I can relate to, complain with or (at one time) celebrate with. I have been told many times that I should just switch teams, but I have cheered for the Bills for over 30 years now and have suffered too damn much to quit now. I just hope Ralph dies before I do so perhaps I can see this thing get turned around. I can't really look forward to that because I believe the Bills will be sold to a group that will move the team to another city. It is pretty bleak. The Bills have been a demonstrably bad team for most of its existence, the exception being when an unknown named Polian was named to GM and a coach with a mediocre history named Levy was brought in. It just goes to show that even a blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while. Unfortunately, my best hope is for Modrak to get fired and one of these apparently mediocre choices for GM and coach actually work out some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conch Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Drink heavily. If you don't like the ribbing puke on their shoes and proudly say you are from Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benderbender Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 In Virginia, and usually the Redskins fandom is hilarious but tame. This year they are psychotic. The lowest of the low was hearing some Patriots fan on a radio show talk about how tickets at Foxboro are too expensive. He said that he can afford tickets for all 5 of his kids, and to drive to their away game in Buffalo. Plus, they're guaranteed to win every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Point of View Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I don't catch any flack, the other fans feel sorry for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastalpika Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 For me it has gotten to the point where whenever someone at work starts giving me hell about the Bills I simply respond with "Who the hell is that?" and usually get a touche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Diane Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I live in Cleveland and people talk shizz on the Bills to me all the time. It's pretty bad when Browns fans think the only team they could beat (before 2 weeks ago) is the Bills. I think at this point we are better off going 0-16, who would say anything then? They would just look sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 When I'm out and about wearing my Bills gear, I don't usually get too much flak. I think that's because a) Texans (of the non-Dallas variety) are generally friendly and don't enjoy being mean; and b) the Bills have a decent record against the Texans. In my office I have lots of Bills gear on display, but I don't hear too much negative talk. I think that's because I'm the boss! I will agree that overall its tougher to be a Bills fan than it used to be, but as someone else has said it's in your blood and you really do not have a choice. But I have been to two games this year and they were kind of a chore. The on field product wasn't much of a reward for the travel costs and time spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan714 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 In Stiller country, I either get sympathy or "how could anybody like the Bills." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 In Steelers country... I just get pity and some words of encouragement, although there are sad headshakes from my friends when I tell them that we're banking on Kraig Urbik to be our o-line savior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) I have been out of the Buffalo are for almost 6 years now but until then grew up a Bills fan and have it deeply ingrained into who I am. Over that time I always would get a lot of grief from everyone about how crappy the team was and the typical 4 superbowl losses or wide right nonsense, but this year so far it seems to be getting a lot worse. I understand the team has hit a low it hasn't seen in a long time but now a lot of the usual 5hit talk is turning into pity and it is kind of annoying. I have had multiple people in the last three weeks ask me why I even bother anymore and that I should probably consider choosing a new team. I don't know how it works for most NFL fans but from what I know about growing up in the Buffalo area switching teams is not an option. I will admit a little bit of shame is creeping in and I don't like wearing my Bills stuff to work as much anymore, especially with tons of Jets and Giants fans around here, but there is no way I could ever have the same passion for another team. It isn't something you can just turn on and off and for some reason a lot of people don't seem to understand. My question for the community is what kind of experiences have any of the other out of town Bills fans had with fans of other NFL teams and how do you feel it is best to deal with them? Non-violent solutions only, a punch in the face to a junk talkin' Jets fan would feel great but just isn't practical. Sounds like a bunch of whining to me. That's not very metal, man. Edited October 14, 2010 by yall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cereal Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Personally, the most embarrassing thing for me is that nobody roots against us. I have friends who are Dolphins, Patriots, packers, Broncoes, Jets, and a ton of other teams fans. None of them dislike us. It's almost like we're the nonthreatening friend of the whole entire league. Nice post, definitely true! As most have stated, it's either pity or just "...meh". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiew Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 My friends are too worried about the Cowgirls to give me much grief. And yes I still have my Bills Bumper sticker on the back of my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I worked with a guy in Orange county who bandwagoned the Pats. Would give me **** calling Buffalo a third world country (of course he'd never been). At least I didn't get married just so people would stop calling me gay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) I always say "unless your team won the Superbowl, who cares", or "your team is just a little less crappy than mine, but they haven't done anything". Most important thing: Pick on the one thing about their team that drives them crazy. In New York, I call the Jets the "Jersey Boys" and talk about Revis' holdout causing his hamstring injury. I never give in and always go on offense. There's always something. Edited October 14, 2010 by JPS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Northern california here. Mostly I get the "why do you like the bills?" and the pity follows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalobillsfootball Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I live in Boston. Been here eight years too long. My friends and colleagues all know that I am a loyal Bills fan and Buffalo booster. They respect the fact that I am loyal and stand by my team. If someone gives me **** about my support - it says more about them (ignorance) and less about me. It's called respect and character. Go Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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