Jump to content

Are The Bills Mafia’s Tailgate Antics An Embarrassment?


Recommended Posts

1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I see both sides.  Bills Mafia created a buzz around the team.  Fans get a little status.  We have a rep as the craziest fans in sports.  In a way, that’s pretty cool.

 

but a bunch of these people are idiots trying to get their 15 minutes of fame.  I think someone is going to kill them selves trying to go viral.  I’ll be some of my tailgate parties against anyone and I’ve never had to smash a table or get so hammered, I couldn’t behave like a normal human being.

 

so for the most part, it doesn’t bother me, though some of these people are total clowns.  But when it starts messing with your game experience, it’s a problem.  I’ve honestly reached the point that as much as I love tailgating, I’d rather watch the game at home, a bar, or with friends.  Also if I had kids, I would never bring them to a Bills game and I’m sure that’s the least thing the team wants.

we've moved away from the extended tailgating too, but mostly due to time and effort.   we go to fewer games now for the same reasons, but the trick is to do it differently.  we now sit in the clubs to avoid all of the nonsense.  the experience is great...there's a full bar open all game, food is solid, clean bath rooms, and you keep the psychos out.   concerning bringing kids, the club is the only way i would do it at an early age.  my wife got us ticket to the home opener last year, and i was shocked by the number of families and young kids, (below 10) that were in there.  it looked like everyone was having a great time, and no children was traumatized.  

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, jimmy10 said:

An embarrassment? Kinda, sorta. What embarrasses me is the perception that ALL Bills fans behave that way, when in reality you have to really go searching for these antics. I've been a season ticket holder for years, and have partied in a number of private lots. Only once did I ever see a guy climb up on top of a vehicle like he was going to jump off of it, only to have the private lot owners come sprinting over and yell at him to get down. 

 

What also embarrasses me is how these kids are just manufacturing these incidents to go for the viral videos. I guess that stems from my age, and the fact that I was one of the very last generations to come up before digital photography, smart phones and social media were the norm. I'm not saying I was a saint when I was in my 20s, but I am glad no digital recordings from that time exist. I question the incessant need to record and document these things online forevermore. 

 

I think it's an embarrassment to those involved but I'm not embarrassed myself.  I like the phrase Bills Mafia and get a kick out of the fact that other fans around the country know it.  Sure, some of them think the antics are more widespread but that's when I explain the origin and tell them it's a small subset of goofballs who are jumping through tables.

 

I'm in total agreement that it's a good thing smartphones were not around during my college years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, eball said:

 

I think it's an embarrassment to those involved but I'm not embarrassed myself.  I like the phrase Bills Mafia and get a kick out of the fact that other fans around the country know it.  Sure, some of them think the antics are more widespread but that's when I explain the origin and tell them it's a small subset of goofballs who are jumping through tables.

 

I'm in total agreement that it's a good thing smartphones were not around during my college years.

 

Yes, I will say that many of my friends from around the country who are fans of other teams do view Bills Mafia as largely good-natured. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, teef said:

we've moved away from the extended tailgating too, but mostly due to time and effort.   we go to fewer games now for the same reasons, but the trick is to do it differently.  we now sit in the clubs to avoid all of the nonsense.  the experience is great...there's a full bar open all game, food is solid, clean bath rooms, and you keep the psychos out.   concerning bringing kids, the club is the only way i would do it at an early age.  my wife got us ticket to the home opener last year, and i was shocked by the number of families and young kids, (below 10) that were in there.  it looked like everyone was having a great time, and no children was traumatized.  

Agreed.  I can’t believe it took me as long to go to the Jim Kelly and look at all the peasants with their long beer and bathroom lines.

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, BuffaloBillies said:

Will likely end soon when someone breaks their neck and sues the Bills.

Honestly can't believe we haven't had a MAJOR injury reported yet (broken back, head, neck, paralysis, etc).

Anyone know of a serious injury yet?

A guy shattered his leg jumping through a table either last year or the year before. It was pretty gross

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, jimmy10 said:

 

Yes, I will say that many of my friends from around the country who are fans of other teams do view Bills Mafia as largely good-natured. 

Lovable idiots whose team isn’t really that threatening.  I think if the Bills were really good, other fans would hate Bills Mafia.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, C.Biscuit97 said:

Agreed.  I can’t believe it took me as long to go to the Jim Kelly and look at all the peasants with their long beer and bathroom lines.

that's where we typically sit.  i love that club.  i also love that no a-hole is going to ruin my experience by screaming in my face the whole game.  i really was shocked how many kids were there though.  we may even take my 7 yr old nephew this year.  i would definitely not put him in the stands at this age though.

2 minutes ago, jimmy10 said:

 

Yes, I will say that many of my friends from around the country who are fans of other teams do view Bills Mafia as largely good-natured. 

that tends to be what i find.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, teef said:

that's where we typically sit.  i love that club.  i also love that no a-hole is going to ruin my experience by screaming in my face the whole game.  i really was shocked how many kids were there though.  we may even take my 7 yr old nephew this year.  i would definitely not put him in the stands at this age though.

that tends to be what i find.

A great uncle would powerbomb your nephew through a flaming table!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The “embarrassing” antics of Bills fans is the most overblown narrative on the boards the past few years. Yes, I would be embarrassed if I were on camera breaking tables or falling head first into an RV, but for the most part this isolated to a few groups of college kids. I did stupid things in college too, which also isn’t isolated to Buffalo.

 

I always feel the need to mention the same thing when one of these threads pops up. Compared to soccer hooligans in most of the world, drunk football fans are nothing. I have never read of a stabbing during a Bills tailgate or destructive riots. Put that in perspective.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, BuffaloRush said:

Just came across this article that flew under the radar from a small newspaper near me.  The writer is somewhat critical of The Bills Mafia stadium antics which have gone viral.

 

Ironically he says something I never thought of.  He mentions that the Bills org is not happy about these viral videos.  When the built a new stadium is built downtown, the high ticket prices will keep this kind of “riff raff” (his words) out of the stadium.  

 

https://waynetimes.com/columns/worst-bills-mafia/

 

 

 

That in no way shape or form is ironic.

Edited by Mark80
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to admit, it is a little embarrassing...but kinda great at the same time.  Personally, I wouldn't do it at this point in my life...but some of my fondest Bills memories revolve around under-age drinking at Rich Stadium in the early 80's.

 

Edited by Buftex
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only thing that concerns me, is if people like that, are going to ruin it for the fans who just want to grill and have a few beers. I don't want tailgating banned. I also don't understand how somebody would be excited to do some of the stuff we have seen on Deadspin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not embarrassed, it's all drunk idiots and credit them for being creative.  I think nationally most people view it as this.  Drinking alcohol trickling down a chick's ass?  Brady's dildo?  I had to laugh.  The only thing I've seen that compares is the Cubs fans doing the urinal trough slide.

 

I think nationally "Bills Mafia" has become more of a moniker to describe us passionate Bills fans, so I get why some are embarrassed by the drunk table divers et al and don't want to be associated.   But people attributed Dalton and Boyd's charitable infusion to Bills Mafia and that was one of my proudest moment as a Bills fan.   I'm ok rolling with it.

  • Like (+1) 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, eball said:

 

I think it's an embarrassment to those involved but I'm not embarrassed myself.  I like the phrase Bills Mafia and get a kick out of the fact that other fans around the country know it.  Sure, some of them think the antics are more widespread but that's when I explain the origin and tell them it's a small subset of goofballs who are jumping through tables.

 

I'm in total agreement that it's a good thing smartphones were not around during my college years.

 

 

Yeah my friends & I used to do some stupid stuff also at the Bills games when we were in our 20s.  We got kicked out one time for peeing right at our seats because we were too lazy/drunk to go to the restroom(it wasn't me that did it, it was 2 of our other friends).  That was at the Oilers Monday night game years ago in the 90s.  Then we went to otto's after we got kicked out & my friend almost got the sh*t kicked out of him because he sat down at a table with 2 guys that he didn't even know & started eating their chicken wings.  Being in my 40's now & a bit more responsible, the table thing & lighting yourself on fire, I do think is funny but I do shudder to think some of these people are probably driving home also.  I also think it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured(paralysis etc.....)  I can't believe the one video where the guy body slammed the girl over the table that she walked away from it not injured. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...