One of the greatest plays in Bills history! This thrilling win catapulted us into the playoffs!

[Chandler#81]

 

[BringBackFergy]

I was just a little punk when that happened. What an amazing play. Whole family screamed. Fergy to Hooks!

[SoMAn]

I was there....sort of.   I don't remember exactly, but I believe the couple I was with gave up and wanted leave early to beat the traffic when it looked like the Bills were going down.. We were just outside the stadium when we heard the roar and cheers from the crowd who stayed until the end.

 

I've learned to NEVER give up when there's still a chance, as slim as it may be.  Don't think I ever again left before the final gun.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

And here I thought it was Andy Dalton and the Bungles 

 

[Chandler#81]

9 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

And here I thought it was Andy Dalton and the Bungles 

 

Hey! Start your own damn thread!😡

[WhoTom]

1 hour ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

And here I thought it was Andy Dalton and the Bungles 

 

 

I was thinking of the same day, but the play I had in mind was Kyle Williams scoring a TD as a FB.

 

 

[Ned Flanders]

I was there and I've told this story before...we watched that play from the ramp, looking for a quick getaway.  Hooks scores, the place goes wild, and I see a dozen guys burst out of the bathroom, to see what the commotion was all about...some with their pants down around their ankles! 

[Greg S]

1 hour ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

And here I thought it was Andy Dalton and the Bungles 

 

 

I was thinking the same thing. Here is another great video to watch.

 

 

[stevewin]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

 

I've said before the long diving catch Hooks made down the middle before the Hail Mary was the greatest sports play I ever saw live.  I was in the EZ behind the play and saw the whole thing unfold in front of me - the catch was just spectacular - can still picture Hooks parallel to the ground just flying into view like Superman - unbelievable

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

Edited June 24, 2022 by stevewin

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, stevewin said:

I've said before the long diving catch Hooks made down the middle before the Hail Mary was the greatest sports play I ever saw live.  I was in the EZ behind the play and saw the whole thing unfold in front of me - the catch was just spectacular - can still picture Hooks parallel to the ground just flying into view like Superman - unbelievable

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

Yes! I wish this video had all 3 plays of that Drive. Spectacular catch over middle by Hooks!!

Edited June 24, 2022 by Chandler#81

[Whkfc]

Who were we playing? I can't make it out on my phone.

[Greg S]

8 minutes ago, Whkfc said:

Who were we playing? I can't make it out on my phone.

 

Pats

[chongli]

I was kid at the time. My family gathered around the radio to listen to the game live, Van Miller with the call. I could not believe what was happening, although it did not surprise me, as I knew that that Bills team was good and experienced.

 

You might ask why we gathered around the radio? The game was blacked out in the Buffalo area, which was common in the 80's, even with a playoff team. Rich Stadium had a capacity of 80.020, which I believe was the largest in the NFL at that time.

 

I also owned a Bills cookbook at the time. It featured "Roland Hooks chili". This is a pic of a similar one, but a later release, with Jim Kelly:

 

 

And my obligatory whammy weenie from Bells:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by chongli

[Beast]

Was there with my Dad......in the parking lot when it happened.

[chongli]

3 hours ago, stevewin said:

 

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

 

Hey, who you calling "old"? LOL. 😃

 

Yep, "Alcoa can't wait!". I remember those commercials, and the Fantastic Finishes (which were played at the 2-minute warning commercials):

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by chongli

[billsintaiwan]

2 hours ago, stevewin said:

I've said before the long diving catch Hooks made down the middle before the Hail Mary was the greatest sports play I ever saw live.  I was in the EZ behind the play and saw the whole thing unfold in front of me - the catch was just spectacular - can still picture Hooks parallel to the ground just flying into view like Superman - unbelievable

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

Alcoa! Awesome mate. Loved those clips. Always at two minute warning, if memory serves

[Dan Darragh]

14 minutes ago, chongli said:

I was kid at the time. My family gathered around the radio to listen to the game live, Van Miller with the call. I could not believe what was happening, although it did not surprise me, as I knew that that Bills team was good and experienced.

 

You might ask why we gathered around the radio? The game was blacked out in the Buffalo area, which was common in the 80's, even with a playoff team. Rich Stadium had a capacity of 80.020, which I believe was the largest in the NFL at that time.

I also heard it on the radio. I remember where I was sitting.

[billsintaiwan]

15 minutes ago, chongli said:

I was kid at the time. My family gathered around the radio to listen to the game live, Van Miller with the call. I could not believe what was happening, although it did not surprise me, as I knew that that Bills team was good and experienced.

 

You might ask why we gathered around the radio? The game was blacked out in the Buffalo area, which was common in the 80's, even with a playoff team. Rich Stadium had a capacity of 80.020, which I believe was the largest in the NFL at that time.

People forget that the Comeback was blacked out! Had to go to casa de pizza or whatever it's called, the place on elmwood. They sold tickets through the grapevine or else it was a knock three times and ask for Luigi sort of deal. Ha

[Chandler#81]

Found the rest!

2 hours ago, stevewin said:

I've said before the long diving catch Hooks made down the middle before the Hail Mary was the greatest sports play I ever saw live.  I was in the EZ behind the play and saw the whole thing unfold in front of me - the catch was just spectacular - can still picture Hooks parallel to the ground just flying into view like Superman - unbelievable

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

 

[Greg S]

31 minutes ago, chongli said:

I was kid at the time. My family gathered around the radio to listen to the game live, Van Miller with the call. I could not believe what was happening, although it did not surprise me, as I knew that that Bills team was good and experienced.

 

You might ask why we gathered around the radio? The game was blacked out in the Buffalo area, which was common in the 80's, even with a playoff team. Rich Stadium had a capacity of 80.020, which I believe was the largest in the NFL at that time.

 

I also owned a Bills cookbook at the time. It featured "Roland Hooks chili". This is a pic of a similar one, but a later release, with Jim Kelly:

 

 

And my obligatory whammy weenie from Bells:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still a pretty good crowd. 71,593 was the official attendance.

[Mark Vader]

35 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

Hey, who you calling "old"? LOL. 😃

 

Yep, "Alcoa can't wait!". I remember those commercials, and the fantastic finishes:

 

 

 

My introduction to Harry Kalas.

[Brand J]

7 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

 

What year is this? And is that John Murphy as the color guy next to Van Miller? Had no idea he’s been around that long. 

[Greg S]

5 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

What year is this? And is that John Murphy as the color guy next to Van Miller? Had no idea he’s been around that long. 

 

1981

[eball]

2 hours ago, Greg S said:

 

Still a pretty good crowd. 71,593 was the official attendance.

 

6-5 at the time...went on to win the next three and finished 10-6.

[Greg S]

23 minutes ago, eball said:

 

6-5 at the time...went on to win the next three and finished 10-6.

 

I remember that. In that stretch was a huge win at SD. I think it was 28-27 and the Bills defense forced a Chuck Muncie fumble with the Chargers driving late the 4th quarter to hold on for the win.

[RocCityRoller]

Great thread folks! I miss Van Miller, one of the voices of my childhood. I started getting into football around 1985.

 

What a tremendous catch by Hooks before the TD!

 

Poor Joey Ferguson. For a guy who was a QB of the Bills for over a decade, and had an NFL career of 17 or so seasons, and did help Buffalo get to some playoff appearances and a few improbable wins, he doesn't get too much love these days. Would love to see him welcomed back this season to lead a charge (or nicely paced walk!) He is 72, could probably do it with that jaunty gait of his.

[RJ (not THAT RJ)]

Van Miller's pause then excited/disbelieving.... "Caught for a touchdown!" still sends me back to when I was 14 listening to it on the radio....

 

Ironically, Fergy's last pass of the season, on 4th down in the playoff game in Cincy after the infamous Delay of Game penalty, was down the middle to Hooks just like in the Pats game, but Hooks couldn't repeat the diving catch...

 

Being a Bills Fan is hard.

[BuffaloBill]

I remember the play …. What a thrill….

[without a drought]

9 hours ago, Whkfc said:

Who were we playing? I can't make it out on my phone.

Looks like it was the visitors. 

 

 

 

per high tech scoreboard.

[Pete]

7 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

I also heard it on the radio. I remember where I was sitting.

Same here.  I was a kid in the back seat of a pinto while my family was driving somewhere- we all screamed excitedly!

[hondo in seattle]

10 hours ago, stevewin said:

I've said before the long diving catch Hooks made down the middle before the Hail Mary was the greatest sports play I ever saw live.  I was in the EZ behind the play and saw the whole thing unfold in front of me - the catch was just spectacular - can still picture Hooks parallel to the ground just flying into view like Superman - unbelievable

 

I've also said before earlier in the game as people were flooding towards the exists I told my brother "We're going to stay - It's going to be an Alcoa Fantastic Finish!" - a reference for the old timers

 

Yes, sir, the Hail Mary is more amazing when you see the whole improbable drive.  That Hooks catch down the middle, diving over a defender, was freaking awesome.  And for an encore, he won the game on the tipped Hail Mary. 

 

You were at the stadium?  I envy you!  I wasn't there but did watch the game on TV and, a big Hooks fan, was pulling for him all game.  Sharing the ball with Leaks and Cribbs, Roland wasn't much of a factor until that final, incredible drive.

[Chandler#81]

10 hours ago, RJ (not THAT RJ) said:

Van Miller's pause then excited/disbelieving.... "Caught for a touchdown!" still sends me back to when I was 14 listening to it on the radio....

 

Ironically, Fergy's last pass of the season, on 4th down in the playoff game in Cincy after the infamous Delay of Game penalty, was down the middle to Hooks just like in the Pats game, but Hooks couldn't repeat the diving catch...

 

Being a Bills Fan is hard.

IIRC, Fergy’s pass bounced off the top of his helmet in the endzone..🤦‍♂️

7 hours ago, Pete said:

Same here.  I was a kid in the back seat of a pinto while my family was driving somewhere- we all screamed excitedly!

Many families screamed excitedly riding in a Pinto! Then they were never heard from again..😱

6 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Yes, sir, the Hail Mary is more amazing when you see the whole improbable drive.  That Hooks catch down the middle, diving over a defender, was freaking awesome.  And for an encore, he won the game on the tipped Hail Mary. 

 

You were at the stadium?  I envy you!  I wasn't there but did watch the game on TV and, a big Hooks fan, was pulling for him all game.  Sharing the ball with Leaks and Cribbs, Roland wasn't much of a factor until that final, incredible drive.

He had 75 yards receiving on that drive alone.  Also had a huge 4TD game vs Cinci (I think) that year. 
Some great memories!!

[Chandler#81]

14 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

I also heard it on the radio. I remember where I was sitting.

Listening with a friend at his butcher shop. Unbelievable! 

[nosejob]

 

[Dan Darragh]

21 hours ago, nosejob said:

 

 

Bills won 9-6 in OT