Lionel Hutz Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Now that the Bills are getting all this national attention the phrase seems to be brought up every time the Bills are discussed. It seems like the term is here to stay and will be forever associated with the Bills’ fanbase. I’m curious to know how the fans here think about the term? Personally I’ve never liked it and don’t understand why it ever became a thing. 1 1 7 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan692 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Im here for the lols 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patience Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Not a fan. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceVilanch Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I like it because it's ours, if another team used it like #brownsmafia I would think it's stupid. Just being an honest homer. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Love it. Loose translation of mafiusu from Sicilian dialect means “ bravado, swagger , or boldness” it’s unique to Bills fans and I liked it the first time I heard it. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninSB Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I don’t “embrace” the term mafia. Feels a little goofy. But it doesn’t bother me either. If someone called me Bills Mafia I would not have an issue. Wouldn’t say I like it but I wouldn’t change it if I could. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 It sounds like something a 13 year old came up with after doing too many bong hits. I guess it's appropriate though. 5 7 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da webster guy Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 The word mafia derives from the Sicilian adjective mafiusu, which, roughly translated, means 'swagger', but can also be translated as 'boldness' or 'bravado' Whats not to like? We've got swagger after finally finding a stud QB after decades of searching, and nobody deserves it more. Embrace it dude, it's just a word. P.S. Worry about the KC game like the rest of us, they've got some mafiusu of their own in Arrowhead.............. 3 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Frog Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Your poll should've included 'Love it!' as an option. Just saying. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I mean it's kind of nice to have a unique identifier, but at this point the horse is out of the barn, no going back at this point. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaoloBillsFanFromItaly Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) I am Italian, and I am not a fan. Mafia is a sicilian criminal organization that spread all over the world, the original name is "Cosa Nostra" ("Our Thing"). It is a very old organization, a branch arrived in the States in the middle of XIX century and I think it is still operating. Time ago it used to replace the state in the command of vast regions of South Italy but even now, in a lot of cities and small villages it is hard to open and manage a commercial/industrial activity without the Mafia "protection", that is, you have to pay a regular fee to them (the famous "pizzo"). It deals with the illegal trafficking of arms, drugs and prostitution. It has, or it used to have, a very strict "code of honor", focused on loyalty, respect, brotherhood. For these reasons it is often "mythologized" in books, fictions, especially outside of Italy, in a similar way as the japanese Yakuza. But while I don't know much about japanese mafia, I know a lot about sicilian mafia, and I know that it handles its affairs with guns. So, I get the term Bills Mafia in the "good" way, but I still don't like it. Edited January 19, 2021 by PaoloBillsFanFromItaly 18 1 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirebors Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 34 minutes ago, Da webster guy said: The word mafia derives from the Sicilian adjective mafiusu, which, roughly translated, means 'swagger', but can also be translated as 'boldness' or 'bravado' Whats not to like? We've got swagger after finally finding a stud QB after decades of searching, and nobody deserves it more. Embrace it dude, it's just a word. P.S. Worry about the KC game like the rest of us, they've got some mafiusu of their own in Arrowhead.............. Um, Mafia is DERIVED from mafiusu in SICILY. Mafiusu means swagger. Mafia does not. Last I checked this is America and not Sicily. And in America it means an organized body of criminals having a complex and ruthless behavioral code. Or an organized group using extortion and other criminal methods. Do you think the rest of the country equates Mafia to swagger or to a criminal organization that used intimidation and murder as a means to an end? 5 2 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Almighty Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 First off there's no such thing as the Mob or Mafia. Second of all if any one of yous don't like the name I'll have my Uncle Vito fix ya 1 1 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Real Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Liked it the first time I heard it. I live out in ‘Bronco country’. How lame is that? 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVEMESOMEBILLS Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Some people need to lighten up a bit. If it was so bad national sports outlets wouldn't be using it all the time right now. I love the name and it's gotten so much press since we started reaching the playoffs over the last 4 years. It's so unique, we're so unique in that no other team's fans have/are getting so much air time on national tv. The NFL loves it, sports talk loves us, hell even the announcers love us. And a lot of good has come from the people in Bills Mafia.The lastest..... 3 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessTruster Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Not a fan. No idea where it came from. But who cares, NFL fandom has become a bit of a circus show anyway. I focus on the game, not the fans. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I would’ve preferred “The Buffalo Yakuza” - opportunity MISSED. 3 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringMetheHeadofLeonLett Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 More of a Bills Inquisition fan, myself. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Gump Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 It's 100x better than the Steelers "Yinzer Mob". I'll always be part of "Bills Mafia"!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirebors Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 54 minutes ago, sirebors said: Um, Mafia is DERIVED from mafiusu in SICILY. Mafiusu means swagger. Mafia does not. Last I checked this is America and not Sicily. And in America it means an organized body of criminals having a complex and ruthless behavioral code. Or an organized group using extortion and other criminal methods. Do you think the rest of the country equates Mafia to swagger or to a criminal organization that used intimidation and murder as a means to an end? Just like the name of our city isn't derived from the animal that we proudly display on our teams helmet. No buffalo are native to the Americas. The picture is actually of a bison. The only problem is, no bison ever inhabited this area either. The name of our city and our team is actually derived from the French phrase "Beau Fleuve," meaning beautiful river. So our team should maybe be the "Beautiful River Bills." 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 The term, no. The idea, yeah. Would I worry about it for a single second, no. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I like it. It's unique to the Bills. Other cities have a XXX Nation. (Colts Nation, Chargers Nation are two I checked actually exist, and there are more I'm sure.) Bills Mafia suggests a strong common bond. And we're EVERYWHERE. I've lived in eight states and traveled in almost all of them, and whenever I wear a Bills hat or shirt I get a "Go Bills" from someone. Even here in Alaska. We don't send Big Tony out to break legs, or demand protection money, and no one thinks we do, so I think the possible negative connotation is nothing to worry about. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loedward22 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I wasn't a fan at first, but as it's embedded itself I've grown to like it. I have a fondness towards Bills fans, and that's what we are known as... so I now have a fondness towards it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delirious Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 This question will be asked next year, and the year after, and the year after that, and... Just gotta live with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billznut Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I’m pretty sure the country doesn’t see or hear Bills Mafia and instantly connect or think we are some mastermind criminal organization out there committing crimes. So why some people get so uptight or offended over the use of this term strikes me as humorous. The Bills organization and the owners themselves have gleefully embraced this moniker. Any Bills fan can now buy all kinds of Bills Mafia gear. Shirts, hats, helmets etc. It’s here to stay and isn’t going anywhere now. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said: I would’ve preferred “The Buffalo Yakuza” - opportunity MISSED. Have you been watching Hawaii Five 0 reruns? It doesn’t really matter as it’s not changing. I like that we have a unique identifier. I have one of my face masks as a bills one and get comments down here all the time in the phrase. It’s grown on me over time. It’s funny as so many tell me how nuts our fans are compared to other teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GETTOTHE50 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 might as well call ourselves the IRS 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 We are not a mob... oh wait... never mind some people can't control themselves. Nobody circles the Wagons like 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, sirebors said: Do you think the rest of the country equates Mafia to swagger or to a criminal organization that used intimidation and murder as a means to an end? I think that the rest of the country equates the term "Bills Mafia" with a somewhat lovable and quirky football team fanbase. Images of broken tables, bowling ball shots, and increasingly, generous charitable contributions come to mind. There is no conception of guns or other violent mayhem. Like many, I didn't love the term at first but its growing on me and we may as well embrace it, its now our unique brand. Edited January 19, 2021 by BillnutinHouston 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 2 hours ago, loedward22 said: I wasn't a fan at first, but as it's embedded itself I've grown to like it. I have a fondness towards Bills fans, and that's what we are known as... so I now have a fondness towards it. This is where I am. Just embrace it at this point. It's better than "xxxx nation" that everyone uses. The Seahawks stole our 12th man thing that we stole from Texas a&m. It's a nice encapsulation of fans who support the team through russ brandon wormtongues drought, crazy jumping through flaming tables, raising tons of money for charity on a complete grassroots level, outstanding GameDay atmosphere etc... we are unique as a group for a pro sports fan base. It's nice we have a unique nickname. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Not really a fan. Considering what the Mafia stands for I always thought it was a little silly to be associated with a football teams fanbase. I really miss the 12th Man days but I'll always be an old soul and miss that time period in life. But I've also come to accept that name isn't going away anytime soon and it's like Marv Levy once said "If you don't change with the times, the times change you" Just gotta roll with it. First and foremost I consider myself a BILLS FAN, the Bills Mafia stuff is more of a gimmick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repulsif Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I like it My wife disliked it, at first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 It's ours, I like it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMF2006 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Its not like your going to change it...so learn to love it. I remember the first time I seen or heard of it back in 2008. Some guys had a sign Bills Mafia in a private lot on Abbott Rd. I thought cool they got their own little group name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 3 hours ago, The_Real said: Liked it the first time I heard it. I live out in ‘Bronco country’. How lame is that? I live out in the "Red Sea"... (Arizona Cardinals) They like to say "Rise up Red Sea!" and I puke in my mouth a little. Almost as bad as "Duuvvaaallll!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jletha Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) I dont really like it. For a long time I would push back on being apart of "The Mafia". Im not a fan that would argue on twitter or jump through tables the way I thought Mafia Members behaved. For a time it did feel like there was a real separation of "normal fans" and "mafia fans" in behavior and it was ok to delineate. But the term has grown so much, its become ubiquitous and it now associated with being a fan of the team so I guess I am now in the Mafia. I would prefer it went away but I dont think thats possible, probably just my age anyway. If the young kids like it, well, the future is theirs to make it how they want. I wont stand in their way. Edited January 19, 2021 by jletha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Meh. But it ain’t for me. It’s for the kids. Enjoy yo’selves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TailgateChef Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 6 minutes ago, 4_kidd_4 said: But it ain’t for me. It’s for the kids. Exactly. Someday the moniker will become stale. I'll still be at the Stadium on Sundays. Wonder if we'll ever bring back "the Bickering Bills". Remember that one? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickleyjones Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Don't love it at all. Anyone who has had a run in with the actual mob would feel the same. That said, it is easy to ignore when you are winning! Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldier Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I truly dislike the term. I live in Wisconsin, a few years ago a when I went to the Bills/Packers game. A Packer fan came up to me and started asking me if I was a member of the Bills Mafia and if jump through tables like the people on in the internet do. I told him no and he kept following me anyways. Hell, he only stopped following me because he saw someone wearing a OJ Simpson jersey and began to bug him. However, I do agree that this term is not going away. It has given the people that use the term notoriety, through the players using it and members of the media using it. I'm really not sure why every fan base needs a pet nickname for themselves (The Dawg Pound, Ravens Flock, Cheeseheads, Gang Green, etc..). 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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