hondo in seattle Posted June 29 Posted June 29 I liked the "The 12th Man" moniker until I realized that several other college and pro teams were using it. I hated the "Bills Mafia" nickname at first. I didn't want the Bills associated with a network of murderous dope dealers. But the term mafia has grown on me over time. Like a lot of words in Webster's, mafia means multiple things. It can refer to an Italian criminal organization, but also to the most passionate and unique fan base in the NFL. In fact, the original meaning of mafia was not a criminal organization. It meant swagger, boldness, fearless pride, and defiance of authority. Italian criminal organizations borrowed the term and gave it a new meaning. We then borrowed the term and gave it a better meaning - one that resonates with the original meaning of swagger and pride. 1 Quote
Kirby Jackson Posted June 29 Posted June 29 4 minutes ago, T.E. said: Same justification for why we need to drop the Mr. Brightside routine. At least that is organic and linked specifically to this team. It was driven by the players much like “Bills Mafia.” There is a “reason” that those started. 1 Quote
Mr. WEO Posted June 29 Posted June 29 12th man is the tiredest cliche in football. No thanks. 3 Quote
Mango Posted June 29 Posted June 29 10 hours ago, Just Jack said: The 12th man should be there. Look at my post comparing the former Wall Of Fame with the new Family Circle layout. Everything matches up except for OJ. It's one of those things that I don't think are a big deal to put up in the stadium. But I do think it is very odd to sort of proactively not put it up. The stadium should have some sort of fan appreciation moniker. Quote
Gary Marangi Posted June 30 Posted June 30 22 hours ago, T.E. said: Same justification for why we need to drop the Mr. Brightside routine. They need to drop it because the song f***ing sucks ass 3 1 Quote
Jauronimo Posted June 30 Posted June 30 On 6/29/2026 at 8:43 AM, Kirby Jackson said: May or may not belong here but it’s also funny that they shoveled dirt on that ridiculous “everybody eats” nonsense. 😂😂 Every season there is a new mantra. Everybody eats was never going to stick around. 1 Quote
fan_in_tx Posted June 30 Posted June 30 On 6/29/2026 at 10:48 AM, T.E. said: Same justification for why we need to drop the Mr. Brightside routine. Until rock comes back into the mainstay.. Brightside should be replaced by Thunderstruck! Seems I hear that song on 97 every time I visit B-Lo Quote
Buffalo716 Posted June 30 Posted June 30 7 minutes ago, fan_in_tx said: Until rock comes back into the mainstay.. Brightside should be replaced by Thunderstruck! Seems I hear that song on 97 every time I visit B-Lo 97 Rock plays the same 45 songs over and over again on a loop You'll hear all the same songs over and over again 1 Quote
Jay_Fixit Posted June 30 Posted June 30 5 hours ago, Gary Marangi said: They need to drop it because the song f***ing sucks ass It's actually embarrassing when that ***** plays. 1 1 Quote
machine gun kelly Posted June 30 Posted June 30 I could care less. OJ is probably a good idea. Hell never lose his gold jacket as they don’t care about off the field, but only on the field play.it sucks as he was literally the most impactful RB in NFL history. I’ve detailed it I. His 143. 07 yards a game in 1973 when it was only 14 games. The entire defense was against him alone. With that said he was a dirt bag, and nothing to make him sound ok, as a 0layer he was amazing. Quote
Don Otreply Posted June 30 Posted June 30 OJ never had even the slightest chance of being celebrated at the new stadium, his image shines a bad light on the organization, ( OJ brought his being ostracized by the NFL on himself) As for the 12th man thing, I can’t remember it being a thing since the drought years, New Stadium, new memories, it is the perfect time to make these sorts of adjustments, like @corta765 said, the “Bills Mafia “ has totally replaced the 12th man thing, and the mafia is famously an all Buffalo Bills fan thing, no sharing that with any other team, it’s a new era in Buffalo going forward. Quote
BillsPride12 Posted July 1 Author Posted July 1 3 hours ago, Don Otreply said: OJ never had even the slightest chance of being celebrated at the new stadium, his image shines a bad light on the organization, ( OJ brought his being ostracized by the NFL on himself) As for the 12th man thing, I can’t remember it being a thing since the drought years, New Stadium, new memories, it is the perfect time to make these sorts of adjustments, like @corta765 said, the “Bills Mafia “ has totally replaced the 12th man thing, and the mafia is famously an all Buffalo Bills fan thing, no sharing that with any other team, it’s a new era in Buffalo going forward. Bingo. This is what blows my mind about the whole OJ thing. Some idiots act like OJ got screwed over by the Bills or something. It's pretty simple don't go and decapitate two innocent people and none of this would have been an issue. It's amazing how some people out there have no concept of accountability. 1 Quote
Kaenon Posted July 1 Posted July 1 On 6/29/2026 at 8:14 AM, Kirby Jackson said: We stole the 12th man anyways. Texas A&M started it decades ago. The Seahawks were using it before us as well. They retired the number 12 jersey in 1984. I for one am glad it’s gone. No need for stolen valor. At least the Bills Mafia thing is original and started organically. As an Aggies fan, thank you. 1 Quote
Ethan in Cleveland Posted July 1 Posted July 1 12th man has not been used in years I haven't read the list, but hope they don't put Bills Mafia up there. Never liked it. But it is at least ours alone. If you want a non-player phrase on the wall put up "Fandamonium" 1 Quote
Old Coot Posted July 1 Posted July 1 I think tha 12th man was rubbed out by the Mafia -- the Buffalo Mafia. 1 Quote
Starr Almighty Posted July 1 Posted July 1 On 6/29/2026 at 10:54 AM, hondo in seattle said: I liked the "The 12th Man" moniker until I realized that several other college and pro teams were using it. I hated the "Bills Mafia" nickname at first. I didn't want the Bills associated with a network of murderous dope dealers. But the term mafia has grown on me over time. Like a lot of words in Webster's, mafia means multiple things. It can refer to an Italian criminal organization, but also to the most passionate and unique fan base in the NFL. In fact, the original meaning of mafia was not a criminal organization. It meant swagger, boldness, fearless pride, and defiance of authority. Italian criminal organizations borrowed the term and gave it a new meaning. We then borrowed the term and gave it a better meaning - one that resonates with the original meaning of swagger and pride. As an Italian I can honestly tell you there's no such thing as the Mafia. My dad told me so and his dad told him and so on and so on 1 Quote
loyal2dagame Posted July 1 Posted July 1 The 12th man was never ours. Just like Mr. Brightside. Let em go. Quote
Buffalo Ballin Posted July 1 Posted July 1 Bills Mafia. Tables. Broken bones. Shattered dreams. This is law. Quote
Fleezoid Posted July 2 Posted July 2 (edited) They tried to replace it with the Whammy Weenie. It is a worn out phrase. But this "12th Man" is a great movie... Edited July 2 by Fleezoid Quote
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