NewEra Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: I agree. But the term was mostly used to describe the drunk table jumpers not the fan base that could pack away stadiums and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars. As I said above, maybe it’s changing. No. This is just made up in your mind. Some people use the term to describe fans that jump through tables. It’s MOSTLY used to describe Bills fans. it’s the term everyone uses when they talk about the bills and their fans. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BITE ME Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Don't love the term, but the mafia are known of loyalty and the Bills fan base is as loyal as any fan base in any sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I was able to easily guess which posters would hate the name the most while reading this thread. It’s been fun. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lewes Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Love them - dont like the name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Lombardi Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Best fan-base moniker in the NFL. Inciting jealousy from coast to coast. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessYaDigg Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 48 minutes ago, NewEra said: No. This is just made up in your mind. Some people use the term to describe fans that jump through tables. It’s MOSTLY used to describe Bills fans. it’s the term everyone uses when they talk about the bills and their fans. Exactly. When I was stationed in Okinawa, I got to meet Steven Jackson and of course, I was decked out in Bills attire. As I was walking up to him, he shouts, "HEY, BILLS MAFIA." He didn't say it, referencing the motto as a "table jumper." He was telling me about how loyal and dedicated Bills fans are. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaattMaann Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 unequivocally yes. I dont go in for the table smashing, leave your trash, overly drunk idiot thing. But thats not all that he mafia is. We are so much more than that. The sports world is starting to finally see that too with all the donations and its a wonderful thing. We are the most passionate fans in sports. the Mafia is all of us, and if you are a Bills fan you are part of it whether you want to admit it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da webster guy Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 As Bono said right before U2 played Helter Skelter "This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles.....We're stealin it back" Mafia is a word the Italians stole from America, WE'RE STEALIN IT BACK................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I hate the name. I just don't associate "mafia" with Buffalo. Maybe if we were the NY Giants or something, but not Buffalo. Seems like a lazy moniker to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Firebaugh Kid Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 The Billsmafia merch on Etsy and other sites is way better than the stuff the Bills now sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimeTime101 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Im wondering if this was a public vote how many no's would be changed to yes. But for kicks lets break this down in how Mafia is defined an organized international body of criminals, operating originally in Sicily and now especially in Italy and the US and having a complex and ruthless behavioral code. a closed group of people in a particular field, having a controlling influence. If you look at it as #2 then there is no problem with the term. Now lets look deeper into the origins of the word Mafia Origins The term "mafia" was originally applied only to the Sicilian Mafia and originates in Sicily, but it has since expanded to encompass other organizations of similar methods and purpose, e.g., "the Russian Mafia" or "the Japanese Mafia". The term is applied informally by the press and public; the criminal organizations themselves have their own terms The more commonly accepted, dictionary-defined meaning says: The word mafia derives from the Sicilian adjective mafiusu, which, roughly translated, means 'swagger', but can also be translated as 'boldness' or 'bravado' how you wish to look at the word Mafia is on you. I have no problem with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I like the term, it is fun and not literal. I do hate the crashing through tables thing. It makes the fanbase look like white trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 4 hours ago, Jauronimo said: Anyone who equates mafia with a criminal organization is a fool? What the? Do you think mafia refers to a supper club? It's the very definition of the word! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slippery Rubber Mats Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Love it. Unique and fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 3 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said: What the? Do you think mafia refers to a supper club? It's the very definition of the word! Right, that was my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einstein's Dog Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I've grown to like it. At first, like many, the term mafia made me cringe. Then I came to accept it as a term for Bills fans, generally stereotyped by drunken behavior - not great but I can relate. Now that is changing. Since the whole Cincy donation thing, it has turned really cool, IMO. A different vibe has been achieved. Pride comes through from amounts given to charity in its name. The last one where the Bills Mafia gave pretty much 10x the amount L Jackson gave. I've moved away from the area and it is a source of pride to point to those things from my home area. It's been a unique twist on the fan function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Mantis_Toboggan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I didn’t like it at first, but then started looking at is as how the Mafia is always referred to as “the family”, and the whole “this thing of ours” sentiment just seems to be a perfect fit for our particular fan base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I consider it an honor to be named after an organization that has killed over a million people since 2000. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 It’s grown on me. I don’t use it in my everyday conversations though. I just say “Bills fans” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 7 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said: I've grown to like it. At first, like many, the term mafia made me cringe. Then I came to accept it as a term for Bills fans, generally stereotyped by drunken behavior - not great but I can relate. Now that is changing. Since the whole Cincy donation thing, it has turned really cool, IMO. A different vibe has been achieved. Pride comes through from amounts given to charity in its name. The last one where the Bills Mafia gave pretty much 10x the amount L Jackson gave. I've moved away from the area and it is a source of pride to point to those things from my home area. It's been a unique twist on the fan function. This is exactly how I feel. Didn't care for it at first but it's better than your generic "Bills Nation". And considering the explosion of media exposure on the moniker I will run with it. Now if we could just get a horses head in Patrick's bed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 LOVE IT !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Things Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I cringe every time an announcer says Bills Mafia. Yeah, I know a lot of fans like it, but I think it's totally lame and embarrassing. Bills family? Sure! Bills Mafia? No grazie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billsatlastin2018 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 “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.” ^^^^^^^^ THIS to me, is correct! It differentiates among the NFL fan bases, to describe a fun loving and goofy but strong family type bond inherent in the org. It stands out! Originally, I thought WTF! But, as I inch closer to 70 and recall all the zany, goofy, stupid, insane... maybe even slightly criminal things WE did, during the Glory Years, if I told you I’d have to make you sleep with the fishes! 😂😜🎉👍🏈🍻 Soooo... no time to go all in on “get off my lawn” time! These Bills fans have made a BIG name for themselves and starting at 6p.m. Sunday, it’s gonna be a lot more yuuuuuuuge! Off the wall interviews, antics, vids, etc., LOVE IT! GO BILLS MAFIA & GO BILLS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pi2000 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) It's insensitive towards Italians... if we can 't have the Cleveland Indians or Washington Redskins, then we shouldn't have Bills Mafia... it glorifies violence, demonizes an entire ethnicity, and creates bad optics for the Bills organization. We need to be better. We CAN do better. For the sake of our ancestors and future generations we MUST do better. Therefore I propose a new name, Bills Dagos. Edited January 19, 2021 by pi2000 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Hell yeah. It’s badass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheektowaga Chad Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Its growing on me Didn't like it when it seemed to only mean table jumpers which seems to be disappearing but that could be because there is no tailgating right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Frankish Reich Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 13 hours ago, Boatdrinks said: 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. Given that it was coined in 2010, at the time the Bills were (I think) 1-8 on their way to a 4-12 season, and at a time when they were coached by the guy - Chan Gailey - with the least swagger of anyone this side of Dick Jauron - wasn't the name more ironic than anything else? I guess Fitzy and Stevie had some swagger. Whatever, I hate it, but mostly because it's associated with a particular type of stereotypical Buffalo fan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Bad Things said: I cringe every time an announcer says Bills Mafia. Yeah, I know a lot of fans like it, but I think it's totally lame and embarrassing. Bills family? Sure! Bills Mafia? No grazie! Contrary to what I heard an announcer try and stumble over the other day, Mafia is not the Italian word for family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Does anybody else remember the Ball Burglars era? That one didn't take off too well lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like A Mofo Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 What is more important to me is what the name 'Bills Mafia' represents around the country more then the actual name itself. I think when you think about how that is changed now that the Bills have been winning big: Amazing fan base and in many ways a generous fan base with the way that many have been giving to charities. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsShredder83 Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 12 hours ago, Thurman#1 said: The term, no. The idea, yeah. Would I worry about it for a single second, no. This. /thread Seems to really p*ss in peoples cheerios. It's a dumb name, but its our name. That's how nicknames work lol sometimes you like em, sometimes ya don't, but the more you fight it the more your friends that are gunna call you it 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figster Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Im ok with everyone elses personal preference. Myself personally, no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirAndrew Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: I agree. But the term was mostly used to describe the drunk table jumpers not the fan base that could pack away stadiums and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars. As I said above, maybe it’s changing. Honestly, the guys crashing tables on some of the original videos are probably some of the guys donating money now. The table crashing is a side effect of being young. Edited January 20, 2021 by SirAndrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirAndrew Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 11 hours ago, wiseman3 said: Some of you need to lighten up...in no way are people associating Bills Mafia with the actual Mafia, which by the way isn't really a major thing anymore anyways. Thats like saying you are offended by the Minnesota Vikings name because Vikings once killed/pillaged your ancestral families land. Lol, its just a name. A vast majority of people, players, staff members embrace it and welcome it. Everyone here just seems grumpy Hey now, I’m 1/64 Swedish and can’t stand the use of the term Vikings. It portrays my ancestors in a negative manner as ignorant, ruthless barbarians. They were actually a diverse coalition that included educated men, philosophers, and poets who were also capable of running a complex and just society. That’s basically how people sound when they take this stuff too seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
die hard bills fan Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 Not really. The first thing that comes to my mind about a mafia (outside of the Bills Mafia) is a criminal organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsbackto81 Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 Indifferent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubes Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 Is it really any sillier than the name of the team itself? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayman Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 It's corny and stupid. I find it cringe worthy but sadly i guess it stuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 I really disliked it at first because it arose in defense of stupid comments from losing-culture-super-spreader/dog park douche-baggerist Stevie Johnson. But I always wanted Bills fans to basically create their own entity separate from the team itself.........kinda' like the way Cubs fans had long bonded to each other by embracing the shared experience of getting together and attending/watching their teams games even though they KNEW that the cheap-ass and usually incompetent Cubs ownership wasn't going to put a championship grade product on the field very often. Bills fans have united around it and that is a very important development, we can't have people like @Stank_Nasty blowing off December games because the games are meaningless.......so there needs to be an understood reason to be there beyond the results. "Bills mafia" as a standalone is (as @dayman says) about as corny as could be..........but SJ13 support aside its root is in sarcasm toward the comment from Schefter......which buys it some space. I found it amusing and inevitable that the Bills needed control of it.........and I don't blame them and since they are committed to winning I want them to make every cent they can off of it. Long term it has massive income potential because you can be 100% behind Bills Mafia even if you aren't pleased with the team itself. It's performance-proof. I've embraced it because it is in the best interest of the family.........as any honorable member should do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninChicago Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 4 hours ago, BillsPride12 said: Does anybody else remember the Ball Burglars era? That one didn't take off too well lol We were so bad to mediocre during that era that I thought it might have been more effective charity to be the “Turd Burglars”. Every time Trent Edwards or JP Losman threw an interception you pay a fine by making a donation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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