Have You Ever Attended A Bills Home Game

[thurst44]

4 hours ago, LB3 said:

If you have, what was your favorite experience? What was your least favorite experience?

My first live game ever was the 51-3 shellacking of the Raiders to get to the first Super Bowl, so my answer to the first question is pretty obvious. I was a freshman at UB and home in NYC (family from Buffalo) for the holidays. My uncle surprised me with tickets to the championship game, and me, my aunt, and my uncle -- all huge Bills fans, uncle and aunt since 1960 -- all went to Orchard Park to watch the game. As we walked in, Ralph Wilson was walking behind us. It was a balmy 33, but even so, by the end of the game, every inch of my body felt chilled. The next day, it was 11 degrees and windy, so thankfully that weather held off a day. I can see Jim Kelly drop the ball, pick it up, and hit James Lofton in the end zone to start the rout. 

 

A few years later brought my worst experience. The same uncle and aunt came up to watch the game and bought tickets. It was against Miami and one of the other SB years, and we were 4-0 going in. I had a brutal cold, a test monday, two papers due Tuesday, and there was a persistant rain. When Miami got off to an insurmountable lead, one obnoxious Fins fan kept taunting our whole section, yet surprisingly he remained upright the rest of the game. We lost 37-10 and was thrust back into dumb college reality of papers, etc.

 

Once, after a night game against the Broncos, my friend's ne'er-do-well boyfriend's RV broke down in the middle of a one-lane section of Abbott Road. It was mortifying to stand outside as police directed a long line of cars around us. I don't even remember how we wound up getting home. However, the Bills won that game, so who cares -- everything was bliss.

 

I've only been to one Buffalo game since I moved back to NYC, when we beat Houston in 2016. It was 62 degrees and it was my first chance to tailgate at a Bills game (RV got there late of course and my family are not drinkers) and for all the talk from some corners about needing a new stadium, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way -- maybe more bathrooms :). It's just such a college (and collegial) atmosphere. Buffalo is one for a few hours.

 

 

 

[holla83]

4 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

I've been to at least one game a year since the late 90's

 

Best games

1) vs Patriots 2011. 34-31 win with Fitzmagic

2) vs Raiders 2011. 38-35 win with Fitzmagic

 

Worst games

1) vs Dolphins 2010 (season opener). 15-10 loss. I had a terrible hangover for the game, and in the 1st quarter some guy projectile vomited 2 rows behind me. Stadium crew didn't even put sawdust on it until the 3rd quarter..... I spent that entire time trying to not vomit as well. The game itself was also pretty terrible. 

2) vs Browns 2009. 6-3 loss. The worst-played football game in recent NFL history. 

3) vs 49ers 2008. 10-3 loss. 49ers opened the game with a TD drive, and then put up about 100 yards the rest of the game. Bills drives kept stalling and settling for (missed) FGs. Peak Jauron era garbage

I was at both the Browns and 49ers games you mentioned. SMH. It was raining during the 49ers game if I remember correctly. I also attended a clunker against the Texans that was around the same time period. It was the game where the refs enforced a penalty against the Texans when the Bills were signaling to decline it to bring up 4th down.

[Lurker]

5 minutes ago, holla83 said:

I first learned about this game from the Bills 35th anniversary VHS tape that I got as a kid. Didn't Ferguson complete a long pass to Hooks the play before or earlier in the drive to set that up?

 

Yes, indeed.  It was one hell of a catch...

 

"Hooks had made an incredible diving catch down the middle for 37 yards to get the winning drive started. “That was the key catch of the day,” said Ferguson. “Without that one, we wouldn’t have had a chance for the last one.”

 

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/11/22/bills-game-day-nov-22-1981-bills-20-patriots-17-joe-ferguson-roland-hook-hail-mary/2167421001/

[JMF2006]

1 hour ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Worst part losing to Steve Grogan and the Patriots. Best part pissing in the troth

 

That was the sink

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

I went to a handful. Mostly Miami and Raiders games.  
 

And a few preseason games. 
the Washington football team was one can’t remember the other it was that thrilling 

[Lurker]

Worst game (and the one that made me decide to give up my season tix):

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012030buf.htm

 

The Phins were blowing out the Bills 24-0 in the third quarter and were driving again.   Miami had a third down at the Bills 13 and got flagged for a personal foul--which would have backed them up just out of Orlindo Mare's field goal range if they didn't convert.  For whatever reason, Wade Phillips declined the penalty and Miami kicked the FG.    I was so damn pissed at Wade for just rolling over that it broke the camel's back and that was it for me...

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

28 minutes ago, holla83 said:

I was at both the Browns and 49ers games you mentioned. SMH. It was raining during the 49ers game if I remember correctly. I also attended a clunker against the Texans that was around the same time period. It was the game where the refs enforced a penalty against the Texans when the Bills were signaling to decline it to bring up 4th down.

 

~40 degrees, grey, and rainy at that 49ers game. That was the year we started 5-1 only to finish 7-9 (this loss dropping us to 6-6 and basically ending any hope at playoffs). 

 

[Nextmanup]

Many games and many memories.

 

One really fun one that stands out is Monday Night Football, October 11, 1993.  Against Houston Oilers.

 

We won 35-7.  I went with 3 good college buddies, all Bills fans, and we sat down low near the front corner of the end zone, opposite the tunnel.  The guy who impersonates Elvis (who I think is still there) was like 3 seats away from us.

 

Fun night, big win.  When the play moved to the far side of the 50, it was hard to tell what was happening; no depth perception.  Was that run a 3 yard gain or a 1 yard loss????

But when the game came down to our end, say inside the 20, it was really cool.  The players were right on top of us for some plays.

 

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by Nextmanup

[Nextmanup]

It's interesting reading the posts...so many people who spend a lot of time on here have either never gone to a game (!) or only a few...and don't appear to be Buffalonians! 

 

How in the hell did you people end up Bills fans?  It makes no sense.

This is a curse you are born into, for the most part.

 

 

[chris heff]

Best was 1980 home opening win over Miami.

Worst was game at the Old Rock Pile when Bills were down to Ed Rutkowski at QB.

[TigerJ]

I enjoy any win.  It's hard to pick out a favorite.  Worst experience is easy.  It was the first Bills game I ever attended.  I think it was 1983.  In any case, it was a Monday nighter versus the NY Jets.  The Bills were BAD.  After a bad first half, the crowd turned ugly in the second half.  Numerous fights broke out among drunken fans.  Full cups of beer were hurled through the air showering most fans by the time the game was over.  The smell of beer hung heavily in the air.  There were multiple arrests and fans who were tossed from the game.

[tomur67]

The greatest game I can remember was the 1990 conference championship game between the Bills and the Oakland Raiders.  Beside the excitement of the game, the country was engaged in the Gulf War and the stands was packed with American flags and the patriotism was unbelievable. The fans were going crazy,  Chanting USA,  USA, USA all through the game.  On the field, the Bills crushed the Raiders (51-3).  The Raiders  never had a chance. They were completely outclassed.  It was a game that many people will never forget.

[ColoradoBills]

My first game was the 69 Home opener against the Jets.

Entering the Rockpile with my Dad (just the 2 of us) was unbelievable.

 

The sights, sounds and smells of that place is burned into my memory.

Even though the Bills lost I was hooked for live football!

 

I will be thinking of my Dad with fond memories tomorrow.

Edited September 13, 2020 by ColoradoBills

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

6 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

 

 

"I got a rock..."

[The BLUES Brothers]

Greatest game was The Comeback Game with a dear friend who is no longer with us and yes we stayed for the whole game.  Followed closely by 51-3 over Raiders - lost my voice in the first half and was worth it. Recent games were The Opener against the Colts and also when we played the Buccaneers and Tre White sealed the game by causing the fumble as Bucs were driving...

 

Worst game - a few come to mind - The strike/scrubs game against Giants (we won but boring), then there was the long ride home with my cousin who is a Steelers fan when we lost to them and a chance for playoffs, last season's home finale in the pouring rain was tough but we were already heading to the playoffs so didn't bother me as much.

 

My son (now a huge 23 year old Bills Fan and a dedicated NYS Teacher - bought us the tix to the last game of the season - last year as Christmas gift for me.  It is cool being a Bills fan, raising your kids and letting them root for whoever they want - and they pick The Red White and Blue of the Buffalo Bills!  

 

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by The BLUES Brothers
I wanted to give props to my son for getting me the ticket to the game in cae he reads it here

[Success]

4 hours ago, tomur67 said:

The greatest game I can remember was the 1990 conference championship game between the Bills and the Oakland Raiders.  Beside the excitement of the game, the country was engaged in the Gulf War and the stands was packed with American flags and the patriotism was unbelievable. The fans were going crazy,  Chanting USA,  USA, USA all through the game.  On the field, the Bills crushed the Raiders (51-3).  The Raiders  never had a chance. They were completely outclassed.  It was a game that many people will never forget.

I still remember it.  It was kind of like a peak as a Bills fan. It felt like we were unstoppable & would own the '90's.

 

Probably too easy of a win, considering the next game.  I hate to think that they might have taken the SB more seriously if it was closer, but these are the things I torture myself with.

 

[KD in CA]

Best experience:  Bills won

Worst experience:  Bills lost

[Augie]

2 hours ago, KD in CA said:

Best experience:  Bills won

Worst experience:  Bills lost

 

I call that the best, and the second best experiences. Even a loss can be a great event, and a memory with friends and like minded fans to be cherished. 

 

GO BILLS!!! 

 

Tomorrow we begin! Best experiences only! 

 

Oh, yeah, I’ve been to a few over the years......

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

13 hours ago, eball said:

For games I’ve attended:

 

Best — The Comeback

Runner-Up — ‘90 AFC Championship

3rd place — 3 TDs in a minute vs. Denver (‘90)

 

Worst — Wild Card vs. Jacksonville (1st and only Bills’ playoff loss at home)

Runner-Up — Saints in 2017

I was sitting in the endzone section, scoreboard end for that one and remember Jimbo being carted off and thinking "well, that's it.". And it was. 

[97bills]

I’m from Mississippi and never been to a home game to think of it I’ve never watched a bills game with other bills fans in my 30 years of rooting for them. No bills fans in Mississippi at all but it is my dream one day to watch a home game surrounded by bills fans screaming and rooting all together instead of making my wife mad every Sunday lol. So to all my bills fans when y’all are at home games causing havoc on the enemy boy dose it get me pumped too. Love my bills and the mafia 

[MJS]

I live in the west and made a trip out to Buffalo to see a game in 2012 with my dad (who is from Buffalo). Fitz was the QB and we played the Rams. It was a December game (I wanted the full Buffalo experience). Fitz did what Fitz does. He made the game interesting until throwing a game sealing INT.

 

It was awesome just to be there because it was my first time, but it also sucked because we lost and it was in the midst of the drought.

[Madbillsfan]

First regular season game was the Chad Morton game. Sad face.

[CowgirlsFan]

Yes. 

 

MIA

NYJ

DEN

NE

PHI

[BillnutinHouston]

Have had season tickets for 10+ years. Started while living in Houston (to help keep the team in Bflo) and now while living outside of Pittsburgh.  Hoping to keep the tradition going when I retire to the southern tier of NY.

 

For me its not an event thing, it's a lifestyle. For me and my family, going to games has meant flying in and staying in hotels, and now that I'm 3 hours away, its an all day commitment and drive.

 

Feels odd to not be on the road right now, headed north to Orchard Park.

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by BillnutinHouston

[OZBILLS]

No.

 

I have only been to Metlife a few times.

 

Next time I am back in the US, i will try getting to a home game.

[oldmanfan]

Yes, many.  Including the first ever home game at the Rockpile when I was 4 years old.

 

Favorites:  

1.  Monday night season opener in 1974 when we beat the Raiders.  Best game I’ve ever seen live.

2.  Season opener 1980 when we finally squished the Fish.  Helped carry the goalposts to Ralph’s box.

3.  AFL championship game and The Hit Heard Round The World

4.  Taking my wife to her first game and her getting logos tattoos on her face (temporary ones).  And my mom showing her off to all her friends in her section.

 

Worst

1.  Getting to my seat right before kickoff for the first ever game at Rich Stadium, then seeing Mul-Key return the opening kickoff for a TD.

2.  Game at the Rockpile in OJ’s rookie year against the Bengals.  Sloppy day with rain all day, Bills played terribly, OJ sucked.

[Gen2]

I've been to many home games. My favorite experience was the last game in the Rock Pile. I don't remember who we were playing, or what the score was, but what makes it my favorite was after the game my dad and older brothers pull out tools from their coats and start disassembling the seats. I ask them what the heck they're doing and my dad says, "I've been sitting here since 1960, I PAID for these seats, I'm taking them home." We carried the set of four seats out of the stadium and onto the bus and no one said a word, no one even looked at us funny. To me that epitomizes the atmosphere of those "early days" of being a Bills fan. You wanna roll a keg into the stadium and set it up in the aisle ... go right ahead ... wanna bring in your grill and cook in the bleachers ... nooooooo problem. I don't know what ever happened to those seats, dad is long gone now, but if I had to guess one of my brothers has them to this day.

 

My least favorite was the home opener against the Chargers a few years ago. My son (early 20's) was born and raised in Florida, but like the good dad I am, raised a Bills fan. We were sitting around talking one day and he mentions that we've gone to Bills games pretty much all over the country, but never to a home game. He says he's heard of the legendary tailgate parties and he'd like to see it as a Bills fan, kind of a pilgrimage to  Mecca sort of thing. My lovely bride looks at me and says he's right you know, you've turned the poor boy into a Bills fan and they've pretty much sucked his entire football life, you owe him. Sooooo I jump on the internet, pay way too much for a couple of primo seats, and decide we'll go up a few days early and stuff ourselves with good pizza, royal subs, beef on weck, Labatts Blue, frozen custard and top it off with a good drubbing of the Chargers to end the perfect father son weekend. As we're flying up I think I really should show him where I keep my Medicare card just incase an emergency should happen (I'm not as young as I used to be). I decided against it because I want him to have fun and not be worrying about the mortality of his broken down father. If you remember it was hot that day ... really HOT. We got to hammers lot at about 8:30 in the morning, joined in all the festivities, did the field house stuff, wandered around and enjoyed ourselves. By game time my butt was dragging, I couldn't stop sweating, nothing I did would get me cool, but I put on a brave face determined to not spoil my sons day. The one concession I made was switching from beer to water to try and rehydrate. As the game went on I was getting worse and worse. By the middle of the fourth quarter I decided to go into the tunnel to try and cool off, I told my son if I didn't return by the end of the game to meet me in the tunnel. I must have been real pale because a number of fans stopped and asked if I needed assistance, but I declined and slowly slumped to sit down trying to stop the stadium from spinning. I swear to God the only thought running through my head was the vision of my son coming to meet me in the tunnel and finding the lifeless body of his father propped up by the concession stand. I was beating myself up about deciding to not show him my Medicare card, and worrying that the trauma of his father dying and the Bills loosing the home opener may be too much for him and turn him into a Dolphins fan or something. To end the story, I didn't die, my son and I hooked up after the game, and when we got back to the hotel I took an icy cold shower and set the air conditioning on stun. After a couple of hours I was back to my old self. In discussing the days events we decided the mistake I made was switching to drinking water, the only LOGICAL explanation was that I ended up with a tainted bottle of water, and if I had stuck with beer I would have been just fine. Well ... that was our diagnosis and we're sticking to it.         

[Nick the Greek]

The best game I’ve been to has to be the one against the Seahawks in 2008 during the Jauron era. 
 

Mooreman threw a TD pass and we destroyed the Seahawks. I think that took us to like 4-0. I truly Bill-eaved. Then the team fell off a cliff. 
 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Nick the Greek

[Nextmanup]

5 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

Yes, many.  Including the first ever home game at the Rockpile when I was 4 years old.

 

Favorites:  

1.  Monday night season opener in 1974 when we beat the Raiders.  Best game I’ve ever seen live.

2.  Season opener 1980 when we finally squished the Fish.  Helped carry the goalposts to Ralph’s box.

3.  AFL championship game and The Hit Heard Round The World

4.  Taking my wife to her first game and her getting logos tattoos on her face (temporary ones).  And my mom showing her off to all her friends in her section.

 

Worst

1.  Getting to my seat right before kickoff for the first ever game at Rich Stadium, then seeing Mul-Key return the opening kickoff for a TD.

2.  Game at the Rockpile in OJ’s rookie year against the Bengals.  Sloppy day with rain all day, Bills played terribly, OJ sucked.

Some time when you are feeling bored and it's a bit of a slow day here, I would LOVE for you to start your own thread about that Monday night game in 1974.

 

Most folks here aren't going to remember that, so it will be fresh and new to us, and you said it's the best game you ever attended.

 

Give us your memories!  It's important for this stuff to remain alive within the fanbase! 

 

 

[oldmanfan]

24 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Some time when you are feeling bored and it's a bit of a slow day here, I would LOVE for you to start your own thread about that Monday night game in 1974.

 

Most folks here aren't going to remember that, so it will be fresh and new to us, and you said it's the best game you ever attended.

 

Give us your memories!  It's important for this stuff to remain alive within the fanbase! 

 

 

I will this week sometime!