NC-billsfan! Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 (edited) I was watching local coverage of training camp and they mentioned how great the Bills Mafia were. Sean mentioned that it was really important for the young guys to get that exposure and see how they respond with fans in the house. Is the 12th man different than Bills Mafia or is it just an updated more specific name for our fans? Should it’s be reflected on the wall of fame? Edited August 10, 2023 by NC-billsfan! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 I think that they are referencing the exact same people. With that said, 12th Man is generic, and Bills Mafia has become known worldwide, and is fully embraced by not only the players on the team, but the team itself. I would be in favor of them changing the 12th Man to Bills Mafia on the Wall of Fame 8 4 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-billsfan! Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 That’s what I was thinking. The 12th man is pretty generic, but not sure if it’s ok to take down the 12th man. Wonder what the plans are for the new stadium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. 5 1 1 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 47 minutes ago, NC-billsfan! said: That’s what I was thinking. The 12th man is pretty generic, but not sure if it’s ok to take down the 12th man. Wonder what the plans are for the new stadium? every player on the wall replaced by “O.J. SIMPSON”. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Also, we didn't need that stupid train noise to get the fans motivated. The 12th man was as loud as a mother, without that goofy fan stimulus to get us rocking 3 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 37 minutes ago, I'm Spartacus said: Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. Exactly. Removing the 12th Man would be like tearing down a part of Bills history 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 53 minutes ago, NC-billsfan! said: That’s what I was thinking. The 12th man is pretty generic, but not sure if it’s ok to take down the 12th man. Wonder what the plans are for the new stadium? Honestly I hope they lose the ring of honor, as if they keep it and OJ some how stays on people will b!tch, if they change 12th Man to Bills Mafia people will b!tch etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 It's the same thing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 51 minutes ago, I'm Spartacus said: Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. To be fair, Texas A & M had it before the bills did so we stole it too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 All right, ALL RIGHT.....🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-billsfan! Posted August 11, 2023 Author Share Posted August 11, 2023 1 hour ago, I'm Spartacus said: Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. Agreed, like you I’m the 12th man. I was in the stadium with you. I was an 8 year old when Leopold? Ended Miami’ s ten year streak. I feel like they might be two separate entities which is weird. I’ve been to epic games, goal post games, that’s the 12th man. I thin Bills Mafia is something different, something that evolved from the the 12th man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 2 hours ago, ChevyVanMiller said: I think that they are referencing the exact same people. With that said, 12th Man is generic, and Bills Mafia has become known worldwide, and is fully embraced by not only the players on the team, but the team itself. I would be in favor of them changing the 12th Man to Bills Mafia on the Wall of Fame Bills Mafia is the commercial version of Bills fandom which had been going on for years. Many fans are not comfortable being incorporated. Put it on video board like other ads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuba guy Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 I think the 12th man came about for various reasons. One the I can think of also is the game where the ref asked the crowd to quite down so they could here the play calls, and the ref said we will give the bills a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Which there is no rule for. The crowd got quite for a second then got louder than ever. Ref asked for quite again and the crowd got so loud they just continued. The players were clapping 👏 at the crowd. It was during the Kelly years. Someone here will remember that game. I just remember when I got home E I could not here much for 3 days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 7 minutes ago, scuba guy said: I think the 12th man came about for various reasons. One the I can think of also is the game where the ref asked the crowd to quite down so they could here the play calls, and the ref said we will give the bills a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Which there is no rule for. The crowd got quite for a second then got louder than ever. Ref asked for quite again and the crowd got so loud they just continued. The players were clapping 👏 at the crowd. It was during the Kelly years. Someone here will remember that game. I just remember when I got home E I could not here much for 3 days. Denver comeback game. Elway was clearly bothered by it and subsequently fumbled an exchange inside his own 5 yard line and the Bills recovered it. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBFL Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 (edited) Fans are fans. There is reference and commemoration of all fans under the “12th player/man”… Bills Mafia is encompassed within that. Can’t see the need to differentiate between groups of people who share the same, albeit different severity of, passion. Edited August 11, 2023 by BBFL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xwnyer Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 the 12th man covers it fine 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 12 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said: Also, we didn't need that stupid train noise to get the fans motivated. The 12th man was as loud as a mother, without that goofy fan stimulus to get us rocking Amtrak is a sponser, hence the train noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 I think you can have some sort of BillsMafia sign/statue/wall inside the stadium but leave the Wall of Fame as the 12th man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 12th man was used more commonly in the 80's and 90's, it obviously refers to the fans in the stands on gamedays. Bills Mafia is the fan base in general as it is known today. I could see an argument for it but meh whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strive_for_five_guy Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 No here. 12th man is a specific in-game reference, especially the impact of Bills fans at games going way back. Bills Mafia extends beyond the game day experience and is a year-round, all worldly group. For me, being on the wall reflects the in-game experience and impact element. And Bills Mafia is just an extension of the 12th man, in my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 According to Wikipedia, the first mention of the "12th man" occurred in 1900 at the University of Minnesota. Many fan bases have been called the "12th man" since. Are we honoring them too by putting "12th man" on the wall? I like changing what's on the wall to "Bills Mafia" because there's only one Bills Mafia. Additionally, the "12th man" is sexist and leaves out the Mafia Babes and our other female fans. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 17 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said: Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. Didn't Texas A&M have it like 70 years before the bills though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleezoid Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 16 hours ago, scuba guy said: I think the 12th man came about for various reasons. One the I can think of also is the game where the ref asked the crowd to quite down so they could here the play calls, and the ref said we will give the bills a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Which there is no rule for. The crowd got quite for a second then got louder than ever. Ref asked for quite again and the crowd got so loud they just continued. The players were clapping 👏 at the crowd. It was during the Kelly years. Someone here will remember that game. I just remember when I got home E I could not here much for 3 days. There used to be a crowd noise rule where the ref could hand out penalties if the crowd didn't quiet down enough for the snap count. And it was in place for the Kelly years. I think they slowly stopped enforcing it until it eventually took it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 16 hours ago, scuba guy said: I think the 12th man came about for various reasons. One the I can think of also is the game where the ref asked the crowd to quite down so they could here the play calls, and the ref said we will give the bills a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Which there is no rule for. The crowd got quite for a second then got louder than ever. Ref asked for quite again and the crowd got so loud they just continued. The players were clapping 👏 at the crowd. It was during the Kelly years. Someone here will remember that game. I just remember when I got home E I could not here much for 3 days. There was a rule about fan noise back then. Dumbest rule ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 1 hour ago, hondo in seattle said: According to Wikipedia, the first mention of the "12th man" occurred in 1900 at the University of Minnesota. Many fan bases have been called the "12th man" since. Are we honoring them too by putting "12th man" on the wall? I like changing what's on the wall to "Bills Mafia" because there's only one Bills Mafia. Additionally, the "12th man" is sexist and leaves out the Mafia Babes and our other female fans. "Man" is not sexist. Women are included. Both men and women are part of mankind. "Man" has been used to describe all people, including women, for basically forever, going back to Old English, Old Germanic, and even Sanskrit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Aren't they one and the same ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Some Bills fans are way too into themselves. On the Wall of Fame? Come on. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 (edited) 19 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said: Don't mess with the 12th Man. It was the original fandom moniker and they "willed" some Bills victories over visiting teams. Broke NFL attendance records for 2nd smallest market. Seattle stole the name from us too. And the bills took the name from Texas A&m... Fun fact . The bills are the only NFL team with direct copyright permission from A&m to use the term Seattle and Indianapolis were sued 55 minutes ago, MJS said: There was a rule about fan noise back then. Dumbest rule ever. In place for only a couple seasons.. maybe 2 Edited August 11, 2023 by Buffalo716 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Things Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Nope. Keep the 12th man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 What OBD aught to do is have a sign over every Stadium exterior entrance that says; “ HOME OF THE BILLS MAFIA” or not…, 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 12th man takes care of it. A fellow professor friend grew up in New England and was a huge Pats fan, but hates what Kraft has done. So he’s now for the Bills. When I told him I could get him a Mafia shirt he told me that brings up some horrible memories of the real Mob. Point being it’s probably not the best to put Mafia up on the Wall. 18 hours ago, NC-billsfan! said: Agreed, like you I’m the 12th man. I was in the stadium with you. I was an 8 year old when Leopold? Ended Miami’ s ten year streak. I feel like they might be two separate entities which is weird. I’ve been to epic games, goal post games, that’s the 12th man. I thin Bills Mafia is something different, something that evolved from the the 12th man. That was Nick Miki-Meyer, and I’m sure that’s spelled wrong. Great day, helped carry the goal post to Ralph’s box. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 20 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said: Also, we didn't need that stupid train noise to get the fans motivated. The 12th man was as loud as a mother, without that goofy fan stimulus to get us rocking imagine all that noise in a dome, echoing off the walls! (sorry, couldn’t help it!) 1 hour ago, klos63 said: Some Bills fans are way too into themselves. On the Wall of Fame? Come on. The Hall of Fame has a fan exhibit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 2 hours ago, RyanC883 said: imagine all that noise in a dome, echoing off the walls! (sorry, couldn’t help it!) The Hall of Fame has a fan exhibit. Has nothing to do with my comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muppy Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 the moniker of "12th Man" acknowledged the unrelenting LOUDNESS that occurred inside the stadium which at times impacted games and the opponents subsequent disruption. It had nothing to do with the bills mafia tailgate antics or even the charitable outreaches they have spearheaded including the outpouring to Andy Daltons charity as well as Oshei Childrens hospital in memoriam to #17's grandmother SO imho both are valid worthy fan "awards" but the one deserving within the wall of fame is 12th Man. The Bills mafia could be recognized elsewhere. Not both on the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strive_for_five_guy Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 17 hours ago, hondo in seattle said: According to Wikipedia, the first mention of the "12th man" occurred in 1900 at the University of Minnesota. Many fan bases have been called the "12th man" since. Are we honoring them too by putting "12th man" on the wall? I like changing what's on the wall to "Bills Mafia" because there's only one Bills Mafia. Additionally, the "12th man" is sexist and leaves out the Mafia Babes and our other female fans. This is a good point. “12th human” would be more inclusive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transient Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 20 hours ago, hondo in seattle said: Additionally, the "12th man" is sexist and leaves out the Mafia Babes and our other female fans. …except that it’s a reference to an additional player on the field in a men’s sport. Would you also like them to change the penalty to “too many persons on the field“? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToGoGo Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 Just give OJ a 2nd one instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 On 8/11/2023 at 8:57 AM, Matt_In_NH said: 12th man was used more commonly in the 80's and 90's, it obviously refers to the fans in the stands on gamedays. Bills Mafia is the fan base in general as it is known today. I could see an argument for it but meh whatever. This ^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einstein's Dog Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 20 hours ago, MJS said: There was a rule about fan noise back then. Dumbest rule ever. My understanding was the rule was about piped in noise. And it was not dumb. I have a recollection of a playoff game, at I think Cincy, and they intentionally blasted in noise in from the stadium when the Bills were on offense to make it more difficult for the Bills. It was wrong. It wasn't crowd noise, it was from the stadium speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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