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...
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