BillsFan619 Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 Very cool article on how the name, Bills Mafia, was born. The Bills Mafia birthdate is 7.31.11. Enjoy. Go Bills! https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37597897/stevie-johnson-buffalo-bills-mafia 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 We're winning the off-season again!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 That is also about the time the Bills switched from supporting Bills Backers Groups and fan groups from buying season tickets to selling them to ticket agencies and brokers to resell. Most of them are in zip codes which Bills fans who live in those zip codes cannot buy season tickets. I do not think it is a coincidence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephilim17 Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 I know some people, particularly older ones, don't like associating Bills fandom with a criminal organization that has done some heinous things... However, it's clear that as a marketing tool, it makes the team's fanbase very cool to players and I think it's a plus for recruitment. So I get the opposition, but given Buffalo is a small market with higher taxes, cold weather, and minimal night life — important considerations for free agents — I'll take almost any advantage we can get and I'm ok with that moniker. Others will say, no way, and I respect their point of view, but agree to differ. But if Buffalo or the region had a recent mafia slaying of innocent people, I would be moved to take that position. You don't make light of recent tragedy. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedboy7 Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 51 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said: I know some people, particularly older ones, don't like associating Bills fandom with a criminal organization that has done some heinous things... However, it's clear that as a marketing tool, it makes the team's fanbase very cool to players and I think it's a plus for recruitment. So I get the opposition, but given Buffalo is a small market with higher taxes, cold weather, and minimal night life — important considerations for free agents — I'll take almost any advantage we can get and I'm ok with that moniker. Others will say, no way, and I respect their point of view, but agree to differ. But if Buffalo or the region had a recent mafia slaying of innocent people, I would be moved to take that position. You don't make light of recent tragedy. What is someone's sister gets run over by a Buffalo while they are in Yosemite? God forbid. We will have to change the name of the city. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said: Very cool article on how the name, Bills Mafia, was born. The Bills Mafia birthdate is 7.31.11. Enjoy. Go Bills! https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37597897/stevie-johnson-buffalo-bills-mafia It's a great story and a name that I've come to appreciate after initially dismissing it. I love that it gives our fanbase a distinct identity. In my job I meet people from all around the globe and I'm often asked if I'm part of Bills Mafia? On a related note, here is a great bit that stand-up Joe Pera did about the Stevie drop: Edited May 15, 2023 by ChevyVanMiller 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said: Very cool article on how the name, Bills Mafia, was born. The Bills Mafia birthdate is 7.31.11. Enjoy. Go Bills! https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37597897/stevie-johnson-buffalo-bills-mafia I as born on 7/31/, but back in 59, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy Watkins' Rib Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 7 minutes ago, nedboy7 said: What is someone's sister gets run over by a Buffalo while they are in Yosemite? God forbid. We will have to change the name of the city. There’s Buffalo’s in Yosemite? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Nephilim17 said: I know some people, particularly older ones, don't like associating Bills fandom with a criminal organization that has done some heinous things... However, it's clear that as a marketing tool, it makes the team's fanbase very cool to players and I think it's a plus for recruitment. So I get the opposition, but given Buffalo is a small market with higher taxes, cold weather, and minimal night life — important considerations for free agents — I'll take almost any advantage we can get and I'm ok with that moniker. Others will say, no way, and I respect their point of view, but agree to differ. But if Buffalo or the region had a recent mafia slaying of innocent people, I would be moved to take that position. You don't make light of recent tragedy. It started with Hollywood glamourizing it. They made the Mafia look cool. But I won't complain about it because I bought in and love the Mafia name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 16 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said: It's a great story and a name that I've come to appreciate after initially dismissing it. I love that it gives our fanbase a distinct identity. In my job I meet people from all around the globe and I'm often asked if I'm part of Bills Mafia? On a related note, here is a great bit that stand-up Joe Pera did about the Stevie drop: As soon as I read that Stevie tweet years ago, I immediately thought of this stand-up bit: 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jones Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: It started with Hollywood glamourizing it. They made the Mafia look cool. But I won't complain about it because I bought in and love the Mafia name. Yep. If you're an average mind mush American you probably think the Sopranos are all great guys, and you admire them. In reality, they (and their real life counterparts) are the scum of the earth who should be despised and denigrated and eliminated from the planet. Edited May 15, 2023 by Bob Jones 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 5 minutes ago, Bob Jones said: Yep. If you're an average mind mush American you probably think the Sopranos are all great guys, and you admire them. In reality, they (and their real life counterparts) are the scum of the earth who should be despised and denigrated and eliminated from the planet. Okay Karen. I never said these guys are great guys and admire them. I said I liked the name and bought into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 40 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said: It's a great story and a name that I've come to appreciate after initially dismissing it. I love that it gives our fanbase a distinct identity. In my job I meet people from all around the globe and I'm often asked if I'm part of Bills Mafia? On a related note, here is a great bit that stand-up Joe Pera did about the Stevie drop: His Bills bit is so hilarious especially for people from Buffalo. My sons grew up in Tampa, but they love the Bills so loved these references. 3 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: Okay Karen. I never said these guys are great guys and admire them. I said I liked the name and bought into it. You referenced Karen and all I could think of is this… In all seriousness, I’ve read bits pieces of the Mafia logo starting around Stevie, but enjoyed this story and the backdrop. We really are a family. Not everything is great, but we stick together like a family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 1 hour ago, ChevyVanMiller said: It's a great story and a name that I've come to appreciate after initially dismissing it. I love that it gives our fanbase a distinct identity. In my job I meet people from all around the globe and I'm often asked if I'm part of Bills Mafia? On a related note, here is a great bit that stand-up Joe Pera did about the Stevie drop: I still feel that way about Rex Ryan FWIW. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jones Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 31 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: Okay Karen. I never said these guys are great guys and admire them. I said I liked the name and bought into it. I wasn't directing it at you, and I do understand your position. Plus, we all know that all Bills' fans are very smart, and would never fall for any "Hollywood glamorization" of despicable/dirty characters. 😉😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 2 hours ago, Nephilim17 said: I know some people, particularly older ones, don't like associating Bills fandom with a criminal organization that has done some heinous things... However, it's clear that as a marketing tool, it makes the team's fanbase very cool to players and I think it's a plus for recruitment. So I get the opposition, but given Buffalo is a small market with higher taxes, cold weather, and minimal night life — important considerations for free agents — I'll take almost any advantage we can get and I'm ok with that moniker. Others will say, no way, and I respect their point of view, but agree to differ. But if Buffalo or the region had a recent mafia slaying of innocent people, I would be moved to take that position. You don't make light of recent tragedy. Buffalo has a mafia presence The five families of New York City are always the most popular… But there’s been a six family operating in Buffalo for the last hundred years also Just because they stay under wraps doesn’t mean they don’t exist… How often do you hear about New York City mafia killings? Some people are uneasy about the name because Buffalo has a mafia history Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jones Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 3 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Buffalo has a mafia presence The five families of New York City are always the most popular… But there’s been a six family operating in Buffalo for the last hundred years also Just because they stay under wraps doesn’t mean they don’t exist… How often do you hear about New York City mafia killings? Some people are uneasy about the name because Buffalo has a mafia history How would the world feel if Green Bay fans branded themselves the Green Bay Gestapo? Same principle at work. 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephilim17 Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 19 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Buffalo has a mafia presence The five families of New York City are always the most popular… But there’s been a six family operating in Buffalo for the last hundred years also Just because they stay under wraps doesn’t mean they don’t exist… How often do you hear about New York City mafia killings? Some people are uneasy about the name because Buffalo has a mafia history Thanks for sharing; I did not know that. I think — rightly or wrongly — most assume that the mafia hits and activity involve other criminals and thus the people who are good with using the name light-heartedly don't blink. They assume innocent people are not hurt and killed in this day and age. Again, I have no idea if this is true but I'm guessing that's the feeling of people who condone it. I'm not going to get into a heavy debate about it but to a 26-year-old player it adds a cool factor and gives our fanbase an aura. Lots of grey areas in pro sports when it comes to ethics and people all have different points of view and thresholds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boater Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 Just for kicks, I looked up the Google Search trends for Bills Mafia, and got this: The six spikes on the right are: Jan 2018, Sep 2019, Jan 2021, Jan 2022, Sep 2022, Jan 2023. So people search Bills Mafia in Sept and Jan, starting in earnest in 2018. Makes sense to me. The mini-spikes on the left are interesting. Sep 2005 (9 searches) and Apr 2006 (12 searches). So someone was curious about the term back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jones Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 4 minutes ago, boater said: Just for kicks, I looked up the Google Search trends for Bills Mafia, and got this: The six spikes on the right are: Jan 2018, Sep 2019, Jan 2021, Jan 2022, Sep 2022, Jan 2023. So people search Bills Mafia in Sept and Jan, starting in earnest in 2018. Makes sense to me. The mini-spikes on the left are interesting. Sep 2005 (9 searches) and Apr 2006 (12 searches). So someone was curious about the term back then. So I guess this throws the whole "it was born in 2011" narrative out the window? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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