jwhit34 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article, "Josh Allen offers hope that makes Bills fans unburdened by past scars." But I did, and am glad I did. I have been reading his work for decades and like many here at TBD have and so many times just shake my head after reading his columns. He's a good writer but there's something missing in his work. Today I think I found it: He doesn't get it. For as long as he has lived and worked in the area, he really doesn't understand the community. Case in point: the following excerpt from the column: That’s it. Once you have the franchise quarterback, all things are possible. Allen has allowed Bills fans to rise above the old fatalism. Sure, the loss to the Chiefs added another chapter to the chronicle of woe. But if anything, it made people more certain Allen would eventually win the big one, and maybe more than one. It beats the alternative — trying to convince themselves that a dysfunctional organization with a parade of flawed quarterbacks might actually shock the world and make a title run, when it became yet another heroic run to 7-9 or 6-10. Anyone who grew up during that 17-year drought must feel envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today. They probably want to grab them by the collar and say, ‘You have no idea how good you have it! I suffered through Losman and Manuel and Edwards and Taylor and the bad Bledsoe, and Fitz at his worst.’ The bolded sentence is what he doesn't understand about us and Buffalo. Us older Bills fans are not "envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today". We love seeing "those kids in the Allen jerseys today". Buffalonians stay in Buffalo because they love the area, love the people, and despite the challenges the area has had economically, weather, etc., part of that is our bond and our perpetual optimism makes that bond even stronger. Parents stay in the area and raise their kids in Buffalo because they think it's a great place to be and think their kids will have it even better than they did, and they want that for their kids. And that goes for the Bills and their fans. I am so excited for the next generation to experience hopefully a great run by this current iteration of the Bills, and how cool it will be for all those kids with Allen jerseys. Zero envy. I spent the first half of my life in Buffalo and then moved to Rochester when I got married, and I love Rochester but Buffalo was, is and always will be special to me. It will always be a part of me, helped make me who I am today. The biggest thing I miss are the people. Almost 35 years later I still have my season tickets and love going to the games. I can't wait to one day celebrate a Super Bowl win with our kids, one who is a Bills fanatic. After all these years, it is too bad that Sullivan has not captured maybe the key component of what makes this community and Bills fans tick, and I find that as the missing piece in his writing. 24 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbRiddick Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Yeah, the drought sucked at the time (I can remember pretty much writing off 3 years the day Jauron was hired) but the hard times make the good years so much more enjoyable. When the Bills finally win it all it'll feel so much sweeter for me because of all those miserable Sundays I had to sit through 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strive_for_five_guy Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 That is an interesting statement. Maybe the envy is actually a reflection of how Jerry views the world and other’s success in general? 12 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 21 minutes ago, jwhit34 said: At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article, "Josh Allen offers hope that makes Bills fans unburdened by past scars." But I did, and am glad I did. I have been reading his work for decades and like many here at TBD have and so many times just shake my head after reading his columns. He's a good writer but there's something missing in his work. Today I think I found it: He doesn't get it. For as long as he has lived and worked in the area, he really doesn't understand the community. Case in point: the following excerpt from the column: That’s it. Once you have the franchise quarterback, all things are possible. Allen has allowed Bills fans to rise above the old fatalism. Sure, the loss to the Chiefs added another chapter to the chronicle of woe. But if anything, it made people more certain Allen would eventually win the big one, and maybe more than one. It beats the alternative — trying to convince themselves that a dysfunctional organization with a parade of flawed quarterbacks might actually shock the world and make a title run, when it became yet another heroic run to 7-9 or 6-10. Anyone who grew up during that 17-year drought must feel envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today. They probably want to grab them by the collar and say, ‘You have no idea how good you have it! I suffered through Losman and Manuel and Edwards and Taylor and the bad Bledsoe, and Fitz at his worst.’ The bolded sentence is what he doesn't understand about us and Buffalo. Us older Bills fans are not "envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today". We love seeing "those kids in the Allen jerseys today". Buffalonians stay in Buffalo because they love the area, love the people, and despite the challenges the area has had economically, weather, etc., part of that is our bond and our perpetual optimism makes that bond even stronger. Parents stay in the area and raise their kids in Buffalo because they think it's a great place to be and think their kids will have it even better than they did, and they want that for their kids. And that goes for the Bills and their fans. I am so excited for the next generation to experience hopefully a great run by this current iteration of the Bills, and how cool it will be for all those kids with Allen jerseys. Zero envy. I spent the first half of my life in Buffalo and then moved to Rochester when I got married, and I love Rochester but Buffalo was, is and always will be special to me. It will always be a part of me, helped make me who I am today. The biggest thing I miss are the people. Almost 35 years later I still have my season tickets and love going to the games. I can't wait to one day celebrate a Super Bowl win with our kids, one who is a Bills fanatic. After all these years, it is too bad that Sullivan has not captured maybe the key component of what makes this community and Bills fans tick, and I find that as the missing piece in his writing. Sully consults with Badol & Scottlaw for his articles, they don’t get it either, 😁👍 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Sullivan is just saying that as bad as the KC loss was, at least there is hope for the future with Allen and it could be (and has been) worse. Also, a significant amount of Bills fans don’t live in Buffalo. I’m not sure what OP described about Buffalo is different than anyone, anywhere. 1 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigotz Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Well said! My theory on “Sully” is he’s actually a decent writer, but has worked so hard to brand himself as a curmudgeon that now he can’t get out of his own way when the city is experiencing success. What a sad existence… almost poetic. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillyKB Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Great post jwhit34. As an older fan, there's no envy here either, just thrilled that we all get to experience this extremely likeable and talented team. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Tim Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 36 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said: That is an interesting statement. Maybe the envy is actually a reflection of how Jerry views the world and other’s success in general? It to me was an odd statement also. I am not envious of those who can't understand how good they have it. I am glad I went through the bad times because I am able to appreciate what is happening now. He has no appreciation for wisdom earned. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) 57 minutes ago, jwhit34 said: At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article, "Josh Allen offers hope that makes Bills fans unburdened by past scars." But I did, and am glad I did. I have been reading his work for decades and like many here at TBD have and so many times just shake my head after reading his columns. He's a good writer but there's something missing in his work. Today I think I found it: He doesn't get it. For as long as he has lived and worked in the area, he really doesn't understand the community. Case in point: the following excerpt from the column: That’s it. Once you have the franchise quarterback, all things are possible. Allen has allowed Bills fans to rise above the old fatalism. Sure, the loss to the Chiefs added another chapter to the chronicle of woe. But if anything, it made people more certain Allen would eventually win the big one, and maybe more than one. It beats the alternative — trying to convince themselves that a dysfunctional organization with a parade of flawed quarterbacks might actually shock the world and make a title run, when it became yet another heroic run to 7-9 or 6-10. Anyone who grew up during that 17-year drought must feel envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today. They probably want to grab them by the collar and say, ‘You have no idea how good you have it! I suffered through Losman and Manuel and Edwards and Taylor and the bad Bledsoe, and Fitz at his worst.’ The bolded sentence is what he doesn't understand about us and Buffalo. Us older Bills fans are not "envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today". We love seeing "those kids in the Allen jerseys today". Buffalonians stay in Buffalo because they love the area, love the people, and despite the challenges the area has had economically, weather, etc., part of that is our bond and our perpetual optimism makes that bond even stronger. Parents stay in the area and raise their kids in Buffalo because they think it's a great place to be and think their kids will have it even better than they did, and they want that for their kids. And that goes for the Bills and their fans. I am so excited for the next generation to experience hopefully a great run by this current iteration of the Bills, and how cool it will be for all those kids with Allen jerseys. Zero envy. I spent the first half of my life in Buffalo and then moved to Rochester when I got married, and I love Rochester but Buffalo was, is and always will be special to me. It will always be a part of me, helped make me who I am today. The biggest thing I miss are the people. Almost 35 years later I still have my season tickets and love going to the games. I can't wait to one day celebrate a Super Bowl win with our kids, one who is a Bills fanatic. After all these years, it is too bad that Sullivan has not captured maybe the key component of what makes this community and Bills fans tick, and I find that as the missing piece in his writing. I agree with a lot of your statement...he is an outsider that tries to fit in but doesn't know how. I was born in 75 so I was lucky enough to miss most of the futility of the 70s and witness the rise of the Kelly era team in my teens so I have good memories of them. I think this era in Bills history will be better than that one when it's all said and done...Allen is going to be a first ballot HOFer and is far more talented than Kelly. I also don't see Beane going all hot head and getting himself fired halfway into it. Edited August 6, 2022 by Big Turk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Decades? I stopped reading Sullivan after 10 days. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 What's all the commotion here, Jerry said what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuba guy Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 The worse thing about the whole 17 years was the national narrative on buffalo. The gills could bet them or any sec team could easily do it. The draft for se for years was are superbowl and with drafts of Terrell Troup and the 1 year sack wonder we just kept falling behind with no hope in sight 😐. But we always new as fans the sun at the end of the dark tunnel was coming soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 1 minute ago, LeGOATski said: Decades? I stopped reading Sullivan after 10 days. When posters say "At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article", it's pretty much an admission that they read everything he puts out. It's right up there with the endless posts along these lines: "if the NFL does (X), then I'm done with them", and "I stopped watching ESPN decades ago----I only watch it now when...." Total BS lol 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpile233 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 I sure wish the team was still going sub .500 every year just so these youngins learn what bad football is… Missed the mark with that one Jerry. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, scuba guy said: The worse thing about the whole 17 years was the national narrative on buffalo. The gills could bet them or any sec team could easily do it. The draft for se for years was are superbowl and with drafts of Terrell Troup and the 1 year sack wonder we just kept falling behind with no hope in sight 😐. But we always new as fans the sun at the end of the dark tunnel was coming soon. I think you've surfaced too quickly too many times, scuba guy... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 55 minutes ago, Don Otreply said: Sully consults with Badol & Scottlaw for his articles, they don’t get it either, 😁👍 No…… this is wrong. you don’t get it. this is entertainment. You’re making it more than it is. Maybe one day you’ll understand like I do. 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Someone actually hired Sullivan to write?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBBills Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) Wow Jerry has some personal issues. Being mad at young kids b.c they don't know some stupid drought. I am personally happy that more people are into the Bills now, keep growing the fanbase baby! Edited August 6, 2022 by TBBills 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HereComesTheReignAgain Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Sullivan is an unlikable, insufferable, tool that will always find a way to be miserable. The Bills could go undefeated and give up zero points all season on their way to a SB victory and he would find a way to interject some negativity into his write up. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) I’m some weird way - and this might just be my Stockholm syndrome creeping up again - I feel bad for anyone who want around for the bad times. Having been tortured by countless instances that would prove there really might be a curse will make that win so sweeter. Edited August 6, 2022 by stevestojan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NyQuil Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Can this guy just ***** off to Massachusetts already? 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 21 minutes ago, NewEra said: No…… this is wrong. you don’t get it. this is entertainment. You’re making it more than it is. Maybe one day you’ll understand like I do. Oh, by the way, I’m never wrong 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Sullivan on one hand is smart and has some talent in writing. However he has some pshycbo/emotional issues that just takes away from his talents. He is just such a downer. Everything is from a negative point of view. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 I've never actually read an article of his. I just see what excerpts people post here from him. You know every time you mention his name and post his stuff, he wins... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToGoGo Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Just now, MJS said: I've never actually read an article of his. I just see what excerpts people post here from him. You know every time you mention his name and post his stuff, he wins... Are you reading the comments in this thread? He's not winning, he's repelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 4 minutes ago, ToGoGo said: Are you reading the comments in this thread? He's not winning, he's repelling. what if that's his goal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 7 minutes ago, ToGoGo said: Are you reading the comments in this thread? He's not winning, he's repelling. He is winning because he is getting attention. The more people talk about him, the more clicks he gets and the more money he makes. People love to hate him. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCbillsfan Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 I can't remember the last time I read an article by Sullivan. He's just too negative in his articles. His writing skills are dwarfed by his negativity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albany,n.y. Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) Why would a fan of any age be envious of the younger people in Alen jerseys? I've been a fan for over 50 years & I wear an Allen jersey too. I wasn't envious of younger people wearing Kelly jerseys after enduring some of the worst football teams of all time. If anything when the Bills are good it makes me think how far they've come from the many seasons of frustration. Back in the 1990s when the Bills were a dynasty, as a fan who put up with a lot of lousy football my feelings were "I deserve this" when I was able to go to Super Bowls . I never once thought about the fans who only knew good football, I was too busy enjoying watching a good team. As it turned out we all had to put up with bad & mediocre Bills teams after our glory years of the 1990s. We're in a good cycle now, let's enjoy it as long as we can because no team remains good or bad forever. Edited August 6, 2022 by Albany,n.y. 5 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 2 hours ago, jwhit34 said: At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article, "Josh Allen offers hope that makes Bills fans unburdened by past scars." But I did, and am glad I did. I have been reading his work for decades and like many here at TBD have and so many times just shake my head after reading his columns. He's a good writer but there's something missing in his work. Today I think I found it: He doesn't get it. For as long as he has lived and worked in the area, he really doesn't understand the community. Case in point: the following excerpt from the column: That’s it. Once you have the franchise quarterback, all things are possible. Allen has allowed Bills fans to rise above the old fatalism. Sure, the loss to the Chiefs added another chapter to the chronicle of woe. But if anything, it made people more certain Allen would eventually win the big one, and maybe more than one. It beats the alternative — trying to convince themselves that a dysfunctional organization with a parade of flawed quarterbacks might actually shock the world and make a title run, when it became yet another heroic run to 7-9 or 6-10. Anyone who grew up during that 17-year drought must feel envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today. They probably want to grab them by the collar and say, ‘You have no idea how good you have it! I suffered through Losman and Manuel and Edwards and Taylor and the bad Bledsoe, and Fitz at his worst.’ The bolded sentence is what he doesn't understand about us and Buffalo. Us older Bills fans are not "envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today". We love seeing "those kids in the Allen jerseys today". Buffalonians stay in Buffalo because they love the area, love the people, and despite the challenges the area has had economically, weather, etc., part of that is our bond and our perpetual optimism makes that bond even stronger. Parents stay in the area and raise their kids in Buffalo because they think it's a great place to be and think their kids will have it even better than they did, and they want that for their kids. And that goes for the Bills and their fans. I am so excited for the next generation to experience hopefully a great run by this current iteration of the Bills, and how cool it will be for all those kids with Allen jerseys. Zero envy. I spent the first half of my life in Buffalo and then moved to Rochester when I got married, and I love Rochester but Buffalo was, is and always will be special to me. It will always be a part of me, helped make me who I am today. The biggest thing I miss are the people. Almost 35 years later I still have my season tickets and love going to the games. I can't wait to one day celebrate a Super Bowl win with our kids, one who is a Bills fanatic. After all these years, it is too bad that Sullivan has not captured maybe the key component of what makes this community and Bills fans tick, and I find that as the missing piece in his writing. Great post. Seeing all the kids out at training camp and at the Blue and Red scrimmage, I was blown away by how awesome it must be for them. There were a few moments that I can only describe as experiencing joy. What does it say that Sully expressed resentment at the happiness of others. Of children even? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Sully doesn’t need to pay a therapist; he can just read all the threads here for psychic analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 He’s a loser. He likely grew up being a miserable human being. From Boston and during a time when the Pats were as bad or worse than the Bills in their 17 year drought. He knows nothing but losing and cannot accept anything otherwise. he’s not from this area and I have no doubt he is not happy here. But just like other useless hacks that couldn’t cut it on the bigger stage, he’s miserable here and has no care in the world for Buffalo or the people in the area. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) What in the world are you talking about? That article is overwhelmingly positive and excited. Sully gets it just fine and the article is a good one. Made me remember the Kelly - Thurman - Bruce days. 55 minutes ago, Motorin' said: Great post. Seeing all the kids out at training camp and at the Blue and Red scrimmage, I was blown away by how awesome it must be for them. There were a few moments that I can only describe as experiencing joy. What does it say that Sully expressed resentment at the happiness of others. Of children even? Could you quick point out where Sully expressed resentment at the happiness of others? Because having read the whole article, I can't find one word to indicate this. What he said was about jealousy (referring to the wish that the Bills teams of his boyhood had been much better), not resentment of the good luck of the young Bills fans of today. He wants those young fans to deeply understand how good they have it, and to enjoy it to the fullest. I'm with him. I've got a 20 year-old nephew who grew up in Boston. He can't even begin to understand what Boston sports fans dealt with for the decades before he started to follow the Sox and the Pats. Now he often complains that it's no fun to follow those teams anymore. He was spoiled silly. I told him much the same thing Sully said here, enjoy the living hell out of this purple patch because it won't last forever. He told me I didn't know what I was talking about. Now he's starting to get it. Edited August 6, 2022 by Thurman#1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen2 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) I'm going to take what will surely be an unpopular contrarian viewpoint. I've been a fan from the team's inception, I rejoiced when they were the powerhouse of the 60's, was just about suicidal during the 70 and 80's, was ecstatic during the 90's (except for the super bowls), again found myself in the depths of despair during the 17-year drought, I am now riding a crest of high expectations that will hopefully be realized before I give up the ghost, so I've run the gamut of emotions rooting for our team. While jealousy may be too strong of a word, I can't help but to inwardly smile every time I see a young boy or girl half crazed about the current team and wonder if they realize they are setting themselves up for an emotional rollercoaster for the rest of their life. Just like the Pats**** fans whose only memory of a NE QB is Tom Brady, their good times will eventually come to an end, sometimes it takes only a year or two, sometimes it takes a decade, but it will surely end. For those who say he doesn't get the "people of Buffalo", we as a fan base are wayyyyyyyy to quick label someone a non-fan when we cross paths with some stranger who happens to be wearing a Bills cap and he or she answers our "GO BILLS" greeting with a thumbs up and a wink instead of the obligatory answer of GO BILLS or how quickly we as a fan base will deride someone who may prefer ranch dressing on their wings instead of Blu Cheese. I must admit I did NOT read the article because I think Sully is a schmuck and I refuse to add to his "click count" but from what I'm seeing in this thread, other than the use of the word "jealousy" I don't think he's far off. Edited August 6, 2022 by Gen2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireChans Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said: When posters say "At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article", it's pretty much an admission that they read everything he puts out. It's right up there with the endless posts along these lines: "if the NFL does (X), then I'm done with them", and "I stopped watching ESPN decades ago----I only watch it now when...." Total BS lol Jerry Sullivan may actually be the OP in topics like these trying to drum up more business. ”I hate Jerry, so when I saw he published a new article, I clicked it instantly.” 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToGoGo Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 1 hour ago, MJS said: He is winning because he is getting attention. The more people talk about him, the more clicks he gets and the more money he makes. People love to hate him. I don't think one person in this thread clicked on that article. I know I didn't. Did you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceman_16 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 3 hours ago, Don Otreply said: Sully consults with Badol & Scottlaw for his articles, they don’t get it either, 😁👍 All this Scottlaw bashing.....I dont get it. I may not agree with him often but at least he can pose a different view (albeit slanted negative). Badol, on the other hand, I don't pay enough attention to his posts to see anything of substance good or bad (probably like mine for 99.9% of the board here). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Junction Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 2 hours ago, stevestojan said: I’m some weird way - and this might just be my Stockholm syndrome creeping up again - I feel bad for anyone who want around for the bad times. Having been tortured by countless instances that would prove there really might be a curse will make that win so sweeter. Makes perfect sense…. That touch of extra relief and joy that we saw with Cubs fans a few years ago…. That. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringMetheHeadofLeonLett Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 4 hours ago, jwhit34 said: At first I resisted clicking on Jerry Sullivan's latest article, "Josh Allen offers hope that makes Bills fans unburdened by past scars." But I did, and am glad I did. I have been reading his work for decades and like many here at TBD have and so many times just shake my head after reading his columns. He's a good writer but there's something missing in his work. Today I think I found it: He doesn't get it. For as long as he has lived and worked in the area, he really doesn't understand the community. Case in point: the following excerpt from the column: That’s it. Once you have the franchise quarterback, all things are possible. Allen has allowed Bills fans to rise above the old fatalism. Sure, the loss to the Chiefs added another chapter to the chronicle of woe. But if anything, it made people more certain Allen would eventually win the big one, and maybe more than one. It beats the alternative — trying to convince themselves that a dysfunctional organization with a parade of flawed quarterbacks might actually shock the world and make a title run, when it became yet another heroic run to 7-9 or 6-10. Anyone who grew up during that 17-year drought must feel envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today. They probably want to grab them by the collar and say, ‘You have no idea how good you have it! I suffered through Losman and Manuel and Edwards and Taylor and the bad Bledsoe, and Fitz at his worst.’ The bolded sentence is what he doesn't understand about us and Buffalo. Us older Bills fans are not "envious of those kids in the Allen jerseys today". We love seeing "those kids in the Allen jerseys today". Buffalonians stay in Buffalo because they love the area, love the people, and despite the challenges the area has had economically, weather, etc., part of that is our bond and our perpetual optimism makes that bond even stronger. Parents stay in the area and raise their kids in Buffalo because they think it's a great place to be and think their kids will have it even better than they did, and they want that for their kids. And that goes for the Bills and their fans. I am so excited for the next generation to experience hopefully a great run by this current iteration of the Bills, and how cool it will be for all those kids with Allen jerseys. Zero envy. I spent the first half of my life in Buffalo and then moved to Rochester when I got married, and I love Rochester but Buffalo was, is and always will be special to me. It will always be a part of me, helped make me who I am today. The biggest thing I miss are the people. Almost 35 years later I still have my season tickets and love going to the games. I can't wait to one day celebrate a Super Bowl win with our kids, one who is a Bills fanatic. After all these years, it is too bad that Sullivan has not captured maybe the key component of what makes this community and Bills fans tick, and I find that as the missing piece in his writing. If you spent the first half of your life in Buffalo until you got married, then you weren't really a kid during the drought years (if this were West Virginia or Utah it could be a different story). I'm pretty sure he's saying the smaller kids during the drought years never got that 'Hero QB' that the current little fellas get to grow up with. Nothing wrong with his take, but not Earth-shattering. In Chicago, there are literally 2,000 residents who can rightfully believe they had a Hero QB in their childhood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Who lives rent-free in more Bills fans heads, Sully or @BADOLBILZ? I would have to say Sully, sorry Badol. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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