stevestojan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I’m guessing there’s an age bias here. I’m 40 and can’t stand it. I’m guessing the younger fans like it, and I’m ok with that. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ta111 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Mafia is derived from ma familia which means my family. Really it’s about family. Anyone who equates it with the actual criminal organization is a fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ta111 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Our opponents certainly don’t mind the name. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30738114/baltimore-ravens-lamar-jackson-shouts-bills-mafia-donating-360000-charity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 actions speak louder than words. I have a Mafia shirt, proud to wear it because people identify more with the charity things and the passion of the fan base vs. jumping through tables. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 8 hours ago, Lionel Hutz said: 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. I don't like it. I'm thrilled that the organization has had all the success it has had, and Del Reid and the others deserve enormous credit for what they've done. It's great. I don't like the name because of it's criminal connotation. And I don't like how the national press lumps us all in as members. It's not the Bills Mafia making all that noise at games, it's Bills fans. Having said that, I'll take the recognition, even if I don't like the name. Calling us, calling me, the Bills mafia is better than not talking about us. 13 minutes ago, Ta111 said: Mafia is derived from ma familia which means my family. Really it’s about family. Anyone who equates it with the actual criminal organization is a fool. Words have meanings. No one is a fool for understanding mafia to have some criminal connection - that's the fundamental meaning of the word in today's language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalonian Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) I initially thought it was dumb, but it's taken on its own meaning over time and now I'm cool with it. I don't think the association with the word "mafia," in terms of the criminal organization, is really a thing when the people talk about the "Bills Mafia." Edited January 19, 2021 by buffalonian spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo44 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 My understanding of the term has always been that it is an Italian acronym for “death to the French. Cry Italian”. I remember this understanding of the term ever since I was a kid growing up in Niagara Falls. So, initially, it was not a reference to a crime organization. It has an altogether different history in terms of its origin. I’m fine with it being used for the bills. I think over the years it has taken on a general meaning and it’s more negative history has been quite diluted. Besides, I’m an Italian American and I’m OK with it. As an aside, when growing up in Niagara falls in the 60s my father was an acquaintance of Peter Maggadino who was the brother of Stefano, the head of a major crime family in the country located in Niagara Falls/Lewiston. He owned a funeral parlor (wouldn’t you know it). I met him once in 1966 when my mother passed and we used them for the funeral. I was 13. He was very nice to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmur66 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Didn't like it originally but it has grown on me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolySchmidt Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Not particularly, but it’s infinitely better than a more woke alternative such as, “Buffalo Football Team Supporters.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hooks Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) I didn’t like it originally. But anything that gets me a Ray Liotta narrated Goodfellas themed intro can’t be a bad thing. Edited January 19, 2021 by Bobby Hooks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullBuchanan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 It's always come off as kind of a hipstery tryhard thing to me. However, I guess since La Nova is the "Official Pizza of the Buffalo Bills" - it's probably got a lot more truth to it than we'd like to think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I'm fine with it, because it's something unique and has a funny backstory. I'm not in love with the tables thing being such a big part of our newfound publicity, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 41 minutes ago, Ta111 said: Mafia is derived from ma familia which means my family. Really it’s about family. Anyone who equates it with the actual criminal organization is a fool. Anyone who equates mafia with a criminal organization is a fool? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSOL Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 As an old fashioned guy of Sicilian descent, I do not like it at all. But in terms of how it's used pertaining to the Buffalo Bills, it's not the worst thing in the world. Just brings up negative connotations in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltonWaddams Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I’m happy to see that I am not alone in my lack of connection with this moniker. I am proudly a Buffalo Bills fan, but I am labeled as a Bills Mafia member by friends and fellow football fans. I have never taken to that. I think that it’s the association with the people jumping through tables and getting filmed doing stunts in the lots. It’s hardly the worst thing to be called, and maybe I’m a bit curmudgeonly, but I prefer not to be thought of in the same context as the table jumpers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, Lionel Hutz said: 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. It became a thing because Adam Schefter said something derogatory against Stevie Johnson after he dropped the pass in OT against the Steelers and then seemingly blamed God afterwards and Bills fan lambasted him on twitter and it got so bad he had to block them and then posted about all the hate he was getting for it. One of the posters coined the term BillsMafia as alluding to how we are one big family and they will come after you if you do us wrong and it stuck and started skyrocketing in usage and that's it now. Here to stay. Edited January 19, 2021 by Big Turk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Personally I use #BillsFamily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpile233 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I’ve always hated it to be honest, but seems here to stay so just have to let it go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I voted "No". That said, I recognize that the term has caught on and will continue to be used whether or not I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastie Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 For me everything is context and intent. First time I heard it I knew it wasn't meant to imply followers of the Bills are engaging in extortion and murder. It is taking a hyperbolic and distorted view of what the Mafia has become in popular culture and mashing it up with fandom. And thus was born Bills Mafia, a rabid segment of the fanbase. Would not have been my first choice but I accept it was created with no ill will or bad intent and accept what it has become. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: I voted "No". That said, I recognize that the term has caught on and will continue to be used whether or not I like it. Likewise. I won’t be buying any shirts or hats sporting the mafia moniker, but nothing I can do about it except try and ignore it. It is clear by the poll numbers that it is not universally accepted and loved by the Bills fan base. I would have thought the numbers would be more 80/20 in favor of it based on how the local newscasts use it excessively. Edited January 19, 2021 by BTB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Kevi Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 No... But it's not going anywhere, so... Never really understood the glorification of the italian mafia, being proud to be a POS- but whatever. It's not entirely unfitting, we will not be gracious winners and we weren't gracious losers either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Poll needs a "Don't care" choice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Hucklebuck Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 The only time any of that I take note of that fan stuff is when the National media has Ray Liotta do a voiceover showing our fans with the mustard and the tables like they know who we are. And at some point I’d like our fans to stop crying on post games shows when the Bills win, or bring up how their Dad died watching the Bills in his chair, or how their brother was an addict and overcame drugs because he watched the Bills. I don’t need to be told over and over again by elder fans to enjoy this because you never know when it will end. I don’t need Nate Geary asking 26 times is this real. We have a good team, we have a good Front Office. Don’t need 25 year old Joe Debiasi, Lou Debiasi and Johnny Simon representing the next generation of fans. More discussions about how to win games and less discussions about where you were in 1990/1991 and pinching yourself and reminding yourself this is real. It gets old, just my opinion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koufax Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 7 hours ago, sirebors said: 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." Probably the "Beautiful River Williams" if we are trying to be as clear and complete as possible, or even "Beautiful River William Frederick Codys" As one of our many resident Italian-American experts here, I can say I take no offense to the term, and after its heavy and complex portrayal by Hollywood, I think it can be used without prejudice, so the only question is whether it is cool or dumb If I were part of a focus group for an ad agency prior to release of a marketing campaign, I might lean slightly against it, but now that it is out there and a nationally known group of fun, silly, dedicated, loyal fans doing cool things for children's hospitals and folding tables everywhere, I think it can stick around, and I give it my thumbs up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I hate it; has negative thug connotations, and most of all, because it was coined by people outside WNY who have nothing to do with the Bills. These are the same people who think Buffalo is somewhere in "Upstate NY". 👎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Duffy Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Just popping in to say I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirebors Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Koufax said: Probably the "Beautiful River Williams" if we are trying to be as clear and complete as possible, or even "Beautiful River William Frederick Codys" And we could possibly be the "Beautiful River Boys" or "Beautiful River Brotherhood." Edited January 19, 2021 by sirebors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the Greek Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I’ve never liked it.. mafia is what, organized crime? I don’t know how that correlates to being a diehard Bills fan but whatever. I’m a diehard Bills fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyC81 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Once the domed stadium is built, the corporate types will take over with wine and cheese tastings instead of bowling ball shots. Look for 'Buffalo Now!' as the name. Table diving replaced by business card exchange networking meetings prior to games, and those will be strictly electronic. It will be like when Sam sold 'Cheers' to the corporation. 😳 Are those high level meetings? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichRiderBills Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Im fine with Mafia...not super good with crashing tables... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 L O V E I T #GOBILLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finn Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I associate the word with criminal enterprise so I don't really see its appeal. I get the undertone of "us vs them," but other in-group monikers are available, so why choose this one? What, are we supposed to mutter stuff like, "Mahomes sleeps with the fishes" or "Either Allen's signature will be on the long-term contract or his brains"? It's a little cringe-inducing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Joshin' Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Did not like at first, neutral now. The issue is the narrative that all Bills fans jump through tables, douse themselves in condiments, etc. If people want to do those things, that is their decision. I do think the narrative is changing to it meaning a passionate fan base and if so, I will be all in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Nobody had a problem with Pancho Billa having a moniker associated with a Mexican revolutionary. What’s the big deal now? We’ve made “mafia” kinda warm and cuddly. Maybe the Washington Football Team could accomplish the same thing by calling their fans “Insurrectionists”. 🤣 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Success Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I'm indifferent about it - it is unique and has taken hold nationally, so there's that. The thing I'm getting just a little tired of is every commentator doing their riff on the "wacky Bills Mafia" thing with a forced chuckle. Nothing against the mustard guy, but he gets a bit too much focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearNorth Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Considering Buffalo Bill was an iconic figure of the American West, I would prefer Bills Posse to Bills Mafia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 When it first started, I couldn't care less. Didn't like it; didn't dislike it. It's grown on me and I like it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 3 minutes ago, BearNorth said: Considering Buffalo Bill was an iconic figure of the American West, I would prefer Bills Posse to Bills Mafia. Some would find issues with the term "posse". Personally, I don't have a problem with the term "Bills Mafia". There is a historical link in the name, embrace it and let's move on. On to Kansas City!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ta111 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 2 hours ago, Jauronimo said: Anyone who equates mafia with a criminal organization is a fool? Anyone who equates “Bills Mafia” with the criminal organization is a fool. Come on, you know what we’re talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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