cusebills44 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 so if we think the mafia and OG references have little or no connection to our fan base or history, we dont get social media? if it was the #RamsMafia or #SeahawksMafia you would certainly think it was a bit forced, regardless of platform - no? Like almost all on this side of the fence have said: More power to you if you identify with it. Its a good cause, and no shame in having some fun along the way. Theres just an element to it that rubs me the same way as the threads here that are "lets make up a nickname for player XYZ." And then we get all these arbitrary suggestions that have nothing to do with the player at all, but they sure do "sound cool." The nickname stuff for players I agree is stupid. But no, I don't think billsmafia seems forced. In my mind, I think of a mafia (disregarding the criminal aspect) as a group of people that takes over - whether it be a block, a town, a whatever. I think billsmafia is a fun way to say we Bills fans are coming together and we are taking over. It's honestly just a harmless thing that people (fans and players) are having fun with, so why do people feel the need to come on a message board and rain on fellow fans' parades? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t317 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 It's about time for the mafia to put together a hitlist of football analysts and journalists isnt it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 The nickname stuff for players I agree is stupid. But no, I don't think billsmafia seems forced. In my mind, I think of a mafia (disregarding the criminal aspect) as a group of people that takes over - whether it be a block, a town, a whatever. I think billsmafia is a fun way to say we Bills fans are coming together and we are taking over. It's honestly just a harmless thing that people (fans and players) are having fun with, so why do people feel the need to come on a message board and rain on fellow fans' parades? no ones raining on your parade. people asked in a single thread if anyone else thought it a bit strange and others answered yes. nothing more. its not like there are tons of threads attacking it and mocking it whenever you come on here. for mafia members, yall sure are sensitive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 #AtThisPointWhoGivesAShit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 #AtThisPointWhoGivesAShit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramius Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) Ready - it'll blow your mind.... #billsbacker #buffalobills Or any number of others. What does forcing some random mafia theme accomplish? It just comes across as a bunch of 18 year olds that were watching scarface while tweeting about the bills drunk. I dig the intentions and good cause, it just sounds cheesy, and forced. Why the mafia theme, my OG friend? I'm not an OG. If you don't believe me, PM me and i'll pass along my twitter handle and you can check for yourself. And the guys/girls that formed it are hardly 18 year old kids. There's no forced element to mafia at all. It takes nothing of the negative connotations of mafia, but rather the implication that bills fans are one giant "family" that has each others backs when an outsider (like the national media) takes cheap pot shots at the Bills. Its a banner for bills fans to stand up for one another and the fanbase and team as a whole. I don't see anything "forced" or 'contrived" about the name. You act like it was a bunch of kids thinking up names to call themselves, which it wasn't. Furthermore, i've used the Billsmafia hashtag to have conversations with AJ Williams, Nick Barnett, David Nelson, Freddie Jackson and CJ Spiller. Its a great tool for fans to interact with the players, especially when the players have bought into it. I just find the staunch opposition to it laughable, seeing how we here on this board are doing the exact same thing, except we use the "TwoBillsDrive" banner. Perhaps its a bit of jealousy because billsmafia has gotten recognition from the local press, ESPN, and the NFL network as well? If you don't like it, don't use it on twitter. But there's no reason to trash it or those that do use it. Edit: just for comparison, there are 13,000 registered members to this site, and close to 9,000 registered members of the #Billsmafia. So its hardly just a small group trying to "make a name" for themselves. Edited September 28, 2012 by Ramius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 what is twitter? The light chirping sound made by certain birds ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I hate to put down other Bills fans in their support for our team, but does #BillsMafia make anyone else cringe when the hear or see it? I know I do. I think it's fun. Don't be such a killjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I'm not an OG. If you don't believe me, PM me and i'll pass along my twitter handle and you can check for yourself. And the guys/girls that formed it are hardly 18 year old kids. There's no forced element to mafia at all. It takes nothing of the negative connotations of mafia, but rather the implication that bills fans are one giant "family" that has each others backs when an outsider (like the national media) takes cheap pot shots at the Bills. Its a banner for bills fans to stand up for one another and the fanbase and team as a whole. I don't see anything "forced" or 'contrived" about the name. You act like it was a bunch of kids thinking up names to call themselves, which it wasn't. Furthermore, i've used the Billsmafia hashtag to have conversations with AJ Williams, Nick Barnett, David Nelson, Freddie Jackson and CJ Spiller. Its a great tool for fans to interact with the players, especially when the players have bought into it. I just find the staunch opposition to it laughable, seeing how we here on this board are doing the exact same thing, except we use the "TwoBillsDrive" banner. Perhaps its a bit of jealousy because billsmafia has gotten recognition from the local press, ESPN, and the NFL network as well? If you don't like it, don't use it on twitter. But there's no reason to trash it or those that do use it. Edit: just for comparison, there are 13,000 registered members to this site, and close to 9,000 registered members of the #Billsmafia. So its hardly just a small group trying to "make a name" for themselves. #notmything #nobigdeal #BillsMafiaMembersShouldChill I don't get why y'all act like its such a big deal that people think its a lame name. I get what it is, I know they aren't 18, that doesn't make it cooler to me. The OG reference truly wasn't even meant to you, it was just to show why people think its a bit of nonsense. Like I said, I'd laugh at #seahawksmafia so by proxy I probably shouldn't rep bills mafia. Go enjoy your thing, no ones taking it away from you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramius Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 #notmything #nobigdeal #BillsMafiaMembersShouldChill I don't get why y'all act like its such a big deal that people think its a lame name. I get what it is, I know they aren't 18, that doesn't make it cooler to me. The OG reference truly wasn't even meant to you, it was just to show why people think its a bit of nonsense. Like I said, I'd laugh at #seahawksmafia so by proxy I probably shouldn't rep bills mafia. Go enjoy your thing, no ones taking it away from you Because people like you insist on belaboring the point that you think the name is lame. You gone to great lengths to bash the name for no good reason at all. If it doesn't bother you, then why continually bash it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I have used #BillsMafia in several of my Bills related tweets. I've also exchanged kind words with @mrdeadlier and other #BillsMafia members. I've had nothing but kind exchanges and light hearted fun. I, however, can't say the same for this site. I still love this site. I will always visit this site and will always post here. I have a great deal of respect for MOST of the posters on this board. Bit quite frankly some of you are complete aholes. #BillsMafia and twobillsdrive.com are the same thing, on a different media format. It's a social media website that Bills fans can interact with eachother. No one is forced to add #BillsMafia to their tweets. It's just an easier way for fellow Bills fans and football fans in general to talk Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I'm glad to see the balance of this even out a bit. I don't "tweet" much but I read twitter a bunch. I've interacted with some of the guys and they have been nothing but nice and friendly. Had a back and forth with Luke Russert because of it. I am in the minority that sort of like Schefter, but it was pretty funny that he got his panties in a bunch over a few people teasing him. Schefter was the one who gave them the name. He asked 'what are you guys the Bills Mafia or somthing' in one of his responses. That is how it originated. Just to be clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Because people like you insist on belaboring the point that you think the name is lame. You gone to great lengths to bash the name for no good reason at all. If it doesn't bother you, then why continually bash it? Someone asked if it rubbed anyone else funny. Many said yea. Many said "I don't get it, why?" Others said "no you're wrong" I've replied several times saying go for it, it's not my thing, for the reasons I said. I don't have to like it and that doesn't mean I'm somehow bashing you. Lots of popular things hold no appeal to me. No problem. The quit bashing us stuff is getting to be another thing that frustrates me. Just cause something sounds silly to me doesn't mean I'm bashing you. I've said about a dozen times that its a good cause and more power to you guys, I just wouldn't say I'm in the bills mafia. I simply identify as a bills fan. If I ever start the "bills mafia is trash" thread - come at me for bashing. My lack of using a hash tag or some minor verbiage because of how it sounds in my head shouldn't upset you. We're all #billsfans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 This thing needs to go away. #billsmafia tend to be complete #douchebags. That's not insulting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyemike Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 (edited) I've followed a couple of the #BillsMafia people on Twitter, and they have followed me back. They seem alright to me. And I've been here going on 10 years. Although I have taken a couple of sabbaticals, I always feel like I can come back. The posts here are insightful, and often good for a laugh or two. Edited September 29, 2012 by TheFourHorsemen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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