My Bills Memories

[SoCal Deek]

9 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

What a cool story.  What a great thing to do for a Bills fan.  

 

I don't have a big red book.  The details of games and seasons get away from me. But I have plenty of memories. 

 

 

Not sure if you can still get a copy of that Big Red book, but I’m betting you’d cherish it. It’s the most detailed history of the Bills that I’ve ever seen. I wish they’d publish a new edition that picks up where the first one left off. 

[Walking Tall]

17 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

Not sure if you can still get a copy of that Big Red book, but I’m betting you’d cherish it. It’s the most detailed history of the Bills that I’ve ever seen. I wish they’d publish a new edition that picks up where the first one left off. 

There is a second one. I have that and the first book you are speaking of. The issue is it only has the next 5 years of the Bills existence but has biographies on some of the greatest players in franchise history and greatest games in franchise history. Of course there are 25 more years unaccounted for.
 

Edited October 1 by Walking Tall

[Shaw66]

3 hours ago, Walking Tall said:

There is a second one. I have that and the first book you are speaking of. The issue is it only has the next 5 years of the Bills existence but has biographies on some of the greatest players in franchise history and greatest games in franchise history. Of course there are 25 more years unaccounted for.
 

Thanks!  That's cool. I'll have to get those. 

[BillsPride12]

This just went on my Christmas wish list.  Thanks for sharing! 

[Shaw66]

On 9/30/2025 at 7:59 PM, chris heff said:

If we were to ever meet, I’m sure I’d buy a beer or two, since that isn’t likely I bought your book. I’m sure what you’ve written is what we would talk about. Looking forward to reading it.

Thanks for this. It relates to how I feel about the book. 

 

I imagine someone asking me why what I have to say in the book is relevant to anything, what makes it special, what credentials do I have? And I've realized that I wrote a book that's just about one fan's experience with Buffalo and the Bills. My experiences are different from yours, but they aren't better or worse.  There are tens of thousands of people who have been fans of the Bills for decades, and they each have their own experiences. The only thing that makes me different is that I like to write, so I compiled a bunch of my experiences and put them on paper. 

 

If we were talking over a beer, we could go on all night, sharing yours and mine, big moments, crushing moments, funny moments, all of that.  Maybe you need to pour a cold one before you start reading. 

[flomoe]

Just purchased it, it better not suck…..I kid!

Thanks for this, I’m looking forward to it.

[gomper]

Good for you.  Well done. 

[cdl 716]

On 9/30/2025 at 2:58 PM, Shaw66 said:

Sometime about 18 months ago, someone here started a thread called something like "Tell Us Your Favorite Bills Memory."

 

I saw the title and immediately thought, "I have a lot of favorite memories. I'm not going to pick one." I moved on.

 

Within a couple of hours, I had decided to write a book about being a Bills fan. And now I've done it.

 

My memoir, FAN - Stories of Buffalo and the Bills, has been published and is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. In FAN, I've written about my life growing up in Amherst in the '50s, about my earliest memories of being a Browns fan, and about how I became a Bills fan when Mr. Wilson decided to invest in the AFL and in Buffalo. The book includes chapters about games I've attended, including the 1964 AFL championship game and Wide Right, my experiences as a season ticket holder, and plenty of other stories. 

 

If you're interested and want to see some of what I've written, I've posted the Preface to FAN on my blog, www.Hartfordtodayandtomorrow.com and also on the Amazon page. 

 

GO BILLS!

Congratulation Mark!  Looking forward to reading some of your earliest memories of being a Bills fan.  I became a fan in 1980, but I always enjoy reading the perspective of fans from the 60s and 70s.

 

On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed sitting with you for some of the most memorable games in recent history, from the perfect game against the Patriots in January 2022 to Nyheim Hines’ two kickoff returns in January 2023…as well as the somewhat forgettable game last weekend against the Saints.  And again, my offer still stands for you to join me (my treat) next year for a game in the new stadium.

[RobbRiddick]

On 9/30/2025 at 7:58 PM, Shaw66 said:

Sometime about 18 months ago, someone here started a thread called something like "Tell Us Your Favorite Bills Memory."

 

I saw the title and immediately thought, "I have a lot of favorite memories. I'm not going to pick one." I moved on.

 

Within a couple of hours, I had decided to write a book about being a Bills fan. And now I've done it.

 

My memoir, FAN - Stories of Buffalo and the Bills, has been published and is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. In FAN, I've written about my life growing up in Amherst in the '50s, about my earliest memories of being a Browns fan, and about how I became a Bills fan when Mr. Wilson decided to invest in the AFL and in Buffalo. The book includes chapters about games I've attended, including the 1964 AFL championship game and Wide Right, my experiences as a season ticket holder, and plenty of other stories. 

 

If you're interested and want to see some of what I've written, I've posted the Preface to FAN on my blog, www.Hartfordtodayandtomorrow.com and also on the Amazon page. 

 

GO BILLS!

Great accomplishment to write a book, congrats. And good timing as well with it coinciding with the final year of Rich Stadium (oops, The Ralph, oops, Highmark)

[HomeTeam]

Congratulations Shaw, I'm not the least surprised you wrote a book. I've very much enjoyed reading your posts over the years. 

[Shaw66]

3 hours ago, cdl 716 said:

Congratulation Mark!  Looking forward to reading some of your earliest memories of being a Bills fan.  I became a fan in 1980, but I always enjoy reading the perspective of fans from the 60s and 70s.

 

On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed sitting with you for some of the most memorable games in recent history, from the perfect game against the Patriots in January 2022 to Nyheim Hines’ two kickoff returns in January 2023…as well as the somewhat forgettable game last weekend against the Saints.  And again, my offer still stands for you to join me (my treat) next year for a game in the new stadium.

Thanks, pal.

 

CDL and I have had some good times together, as he's noted. Fanhood just feels good. It's a great way to feel connected to others. So CDL are connected, even though we're decades apart in age, even though the ONLY time we see each other is the six hours it takes to drive to the game, watch the game, and drive back. We don't work together, we don't drink together, we don't play bridge together. The only thing we do is go to games together once or twice a year. But that alone makes us friends, for sure. 

 

And CDL will have write a book one day about his fan adventures. 

 

Oh, and I'm definitely in for next year at the new Highmark.  

[SoMAn]

Great cover shot.
i’ll be buying a couple of copies; one for me and one as gift. 

[LewPort71]

I just added this to my Kindle library and am looking forward to reading.

Congrats on being published !!

[stuvian]

Adding Fan to my Amazon wish list 

[MiltonWaddams]

@Shaw66, you are all that is right about being a Bills fan here on TBD. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to write this book and for The Rockpile Review which I look forward to weekly. Your contributions to being a fan are very appreciated.

[Figster]

On 10/3/2025 at 12:18 PM, Shaw66 said:

Thanks for this. It relates to how I feel about the book. 

 

I imagine someone asking me why what I have to say in the book is relevant to anything, what makes it special, what credentials do I have? And I've realized that I wrote a book that's just about one fan's experience with Buffalo and the Bills. My experiences are different from yours, but they aren't better or worse.  There are tens of thousands of people who have been fans of the Bills for decades, and they each have their own experiences. The only thing that makes me different is that I like to write, so I compiled a bunch of my experiences and put them on paper. 

 

If we were talking over a beer, we could go on all night, sharing yours and mine, big moments, crushing moments, funny moments, all of that.  Maybe you need to pour a cold one before you start reading. 

Not only do you like to write, you're also very good at it. Having the pleasure of reading your reviews over the years along with discussions afterwards has been insightful and entertaining. A Book makes perfect sense.

 

Best of luck.  

[Tuco]

Got my copy and had a very enjoyable read. 

[Shaw66]

Thanks, Tuco. I appreciate that you posted. 

 

A little history. Tuco and I were involved in a Bills-related charitable project 20 years ago, and he and I have chatted off and on for years.  In earlier years, he posted under another name. We also sat in the same section when I first had season tickets. He's a good, good guy.

 

His avatar changes from time to time, and I noticed his latest avatar, Innocent Possessions; It's the cover of his latest novel. I've enjoyed reading both of his books.

[dock581]

Just ordered your book. I’m 89 and went to my first game at age 12. Bills vs.Browns and of course we lost. Been a rabid fan all these years and my family keeps urging me to write a book like yours. I didn’t have many notes or a good memory (now)so I am so anxious to read your book. Judging from your contributions to two bills drive I’m sure it will be memorable! Thanks so much for doing it.

[Bob Lamb]

On 9/30/2025 at 2:58 PM, Shaw66 said:

Sometime about 18 months ago, someone here started a thread called something like "Tell Us Your Favorite Bills Memory."

 

I saw the title and immediately thought, "I have a lot of favorite memories. I'm not going to pick one." I moved on.

 

Within a couple of hours, I had decided to write a book about being a Bills fan. And now I've done it.

 

My memoir, FAN - Stories of Buffalo and the Bills, has been published and is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. In FAN, I've written about my life growing up in Amherst in the '50s, about my earliest memories of being a Browns fan, and about how I became a Bills fan when Mr. Wilson decided to invest in the AFL and in Buffalo. The book includes chapters about games I've attended, including the 1964 AFL championship game and Wide Right, my experiences as a season ticket holder, and plenty of other stories. 

 

If you're interested and want to see some of what I've written, I've posted the Preface to FAN on my blog, www.Hartfordtodayandtomorrow.com and also on the Amazon page. 

 

GO BILLS!

 

I bought the book  and read it last night. Interesting memoir. You are about 5 years older than me and I did not start following Bills football until I was a freshman at UB (1972).  I saw the final game at War Memorial and the first game at the Ralph. In the 80's, I managed three Pizza Huts's - Camp Road, Orchard Park and East Aurora. Even in the drought years - the fan experience was chaotic. They were good (if not uplifting) times. 

 

Than my wife set up her first computer and someone showed me Prodigy. From 1995 (?) on - I breathed Bills, Never saw the BBMB but the D&C (Rochester) had something like it until it collapsed in anarchy.  TBD already existed and then SDS created TSW.   

 

Lot One - Pole 5 was our Bills Universe

 

If I had to pick out one memory -  23 January 1994 - the Bills foretold Joe Montana's retirement by knocking him out the game. Jeff Wright, Phil Hansen and Bruce Smith sandwiched Montana out of the game. Bills win 30-13

 

Then the NFL became the greedy monster it is today. The No Fun League sucked the joy out of Sundays

 

P.S.  Our first house was on Capen Blvd and my daughter attended Windemere, AMS and Amherst High. Eggertsville ruled!