10 most famous Bills

[Lurker]

wait until this season's over. t.o. will generate one story a day, starting day 1 of training camp through the start of next free agency. o.j. 11th.

 

jw

And if he doesn't, you guys will manufacture something...

[TimGraham]

Having given this a little bit of thought, from my perspective, here then are the top-10 Bills who will make the national wire most every time with a story about them. And yes, I'm humbly changing course and going with O.J. at the top.

I base this on name recognition, and whether someone in Alabama or New Mexico or Alaska (pick a state, I'm not deriding people living there, it's just that they're far removed from Buffalo) would be interested in these people.

 

OJ Simpson.

Terrell Owens.

Doug Flutie.

Bruce Smith (he's one up on Kelly because he's got the sack record.)

Jim Kelly.

Jack Kemp (that's a tough one, as unfortunately he is in the forefront of everyone's mind. but based on fame, he did make headlines on and off the field for more than four decades.)

Marv Levy.

Scott Norwood.

Kevin Everrett (will always be remembered as "that Bills player, who overcame paralysis.")

Ralph Wilson.

 

jw

 

I like to measure it on the idea of how recognizable the person would be in, say, Des Moines.

 

But how about this measure for how well-known somebody is?

 

The number of papers around the country that would run his full-length obituary. That's a measure of how a person's life has resonated and made an impact in people's lives outside of the place where he played.

 

Scott Norwood would be a two-paragraph brief everywhere outside of Western New York.

 

I still have to go with O.J., Jack Kemp and Doug Flutie as clear Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Not even close in my mind. Doug Flutie has been a household name since the 1980s.

 

As for Al Cowlings being repeated on the list, he was involved in an infamous moment, but I think the White Bronco was the star of that scene. Few people even know what Cowlings looks like.

[BuffaloBill]

1. OJ

2.Jack Kemp

3.Doug Flutie

4.Al Cowlings

5.Terrell Owens

6.Paul McGuire

7.Jim Kelly

8.Bruce Smith

9.Tom Flores

10.Ahmad Rashad

 

#1 isn't arguable....but after #5 its a crapshoot...

 

 

I would argue that only OJ, Jack Kemp and maybe Flutie (more for his college play than for the Bills) have any real face or name recognition outside of NFL circles. If you separate the rest of your list from their NFL career or association with the NFl they have no star power.

[TimGraham]

I would argue that only OJ, Jack Kemp and maybe Flutie (more for his college play than for the Bills) have any real face or name recognition outside of NFL circles. If you separate the rest of your list from their NFL career or association with the NFl they have no star power.

 

I'd add Rashad to your list. He's probably more recognizable among NBA fans these days than NFL fans.

[Lori]

Have to agree about Cowlings, Tim. It's been long enough that if you say that name to most anyone outside Buffalo or L.A., you'd probably get a blank stare in response ...

"You know, the guy who drove O.J.'s Bronco in the chase."

"Oh, that guy."

 

Same with Norwood. A 10-second clip of the fateful kick, and cut to commercial while Bills fans around the country retch and everyone else shrugs.

 

More sports fans would recognize T.O. than Kemp, merely because the latter played in a league which ceased to exist 39 years ago. I'd like to think the general population would flip the other way -- "Old No. 15" DID run for President once upon a time, after all -- but I'm not sure I have that much confidence in my fellow Americans. That one might be close ...

 

And Rashad might be undersold here. He has a ton of TV time, including all those Michael Jordan testimonials interviews ...

[Haven Moses]

OJ

AC

Jack Kemp

Dean Cain

Jim Kelly

Bruce Smith

Paul Maguire

Fred Smerlas

Marv Levy

Ralph

[Poeticlaw]

If you include O.J., dont you mean infamous?

 

 

You would have to say he was just as famous as he was infamous.

[Charles Romes]

Gary Anderson, Bill Polian, Marty Schottenheimer

[Astrobot]

1. O.J.

2. Jim Kelly

3. Jack Kemp

4. Scott Norwood

5. T.O.

6. Marv Levy

7. Doug Flutie

8. Chris Berman

9. Kevin Everett

10. Thurman Thomas

 

Tempted to add Ralph Wilson in here, as well as Paul McGuire.

[Tcali]

1- OJ Simpson

2- Scott Norwood

3- Ahmad Rashad

4- Jack Kemp

5- Doug Flutie

6- Terrell Owens

7- Jim Kelly

8- Paul Maguire

9- Thurman Thomas

10-Bruce Smith

 

A case for Norwood being #1. When you tell some you're a Bills fan, do you hear OJ's name or Norwood's?

good call on Norwood:)

[Buftex]

Nobody gives any popularity points to Chris Spielman other than me? He is becoming one of the preeminent color analysts in college football....

[Kelly the Dog]

Having given this a little bit of thought, from my perspective, here then are the top-10 Bills who will make the national wire most every time with a story about them. And yes, I'm humbly changing course and going with O.J. at the top.

I base this on name recognition, and whether someone in Alabama or New Mexico or Alaska (pick a state, I'm not deriding people living there, it's just that they're far removed from Buffalo) would be interested in these people.

 

OJ Simpson.

Terrell Owens.

Doug Flutie.

Bruce Smith (he's one up on Kelly because he's got the sack record.)

Jim Kelly.

Jack Kemp (that's a tough one, as unfortunately he is in the forefront of everyone's mind. but based on fame, he did make headlines on and off the field for more than four decades.)

Marv Levy.

Scott Norwood.

Kevin Everrett (will always be remembered as "that Bills player, who overcame paralysis.")

Ralph Wilson.

 

jw

 

I think this is the closest so far, and I dont think people outside of Buffalo even realize how big a story and celebrity TO is, regardless of the reasons.

 

OJ is one for sure, because there are ten million old ladies that know who OJ is.

TO is #2, almost for sure, IMO.

Jack Kemp could be #3 because he was a VP candidate and was exposed to both the political world and the pro football world.

I think Flutie unfortunately more than Kelly who is probably more than Bruce but it's close for all three.

Anyone else is way down the line except for maybe Thurman.

[bluenews]

I said FAMOUS.....not the best players.

 

famous or imfamous?

[Christopher Capolupo]

1. George Washington.

2. Thomas Jefferson

3. Abraham Lincoln

4. Alexander Hamilton

5. Andrew Jackson

6. Ulysses Grant

7. Benjamin Franklin

8. OJ Simpson

9. Jim Kelly

10. Marv Levy

 

Really think these are the only Bills most people in the NFL care about, I would go as far to say most people outside the NFL care about these more than any of the other Bills as well. 8-10 are arguable to even be on the list quite honestly.

[Tcali]

I would argue that only OJ, Jack Kemp and maybe Flutie (more for his college play than for the Bills) have any real face or name recognition outside of NFL circles. If you separate the rest of your list from their NFL career or association with the NFl they have no star power.

Yeah after OJ and Jack it was tough...

[Tcali]

I like to measure it on the idea of how recognizable the person would be in, say, Des Moines.

 

But how about this measure for how well-known somebody is?

 

The number of papers around the country that would run his full-length obituary. That's a measure of how a person's life has resonated and made an impact in people's lives outside of the place where he played.

 

Scott Norwood would be a two-paragraph brief everywhere outside of Western New York.

 

I still have to go with O.J., Jack Kemp and Doug Flutie as clear Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Not even close in my mind. Doug Flutie has been a household name since the 1980s.

 

As for Al Cowlings being repeated on the list, he was involved in an infamous moment, but I think the White Bronco was the star of that scene. Few people even know what Cowlings looks like.

I put AL on the list as a bit of a gag.--Don't rule out TO for future greatness, however. He is extremely well known domestically and he has 'international incident' potential.

[Delete This Account]

I like to measure it on the idea of how recognizable the person would be in, say, Des Moines.

 

But how about this measure for how well-known somebody is?

 

The number of papers around the country that would run his full-length obituary. That's a measure of how a person's life has resonated and made an impact in people's lives outside of the place where he played.

 

Scott Norwood would be a two-paragraph brief everywhere outside of Western New York.

 

I still have to go with O.J., Jack Kemp and Doug Flutie as clear Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Not even close in my mind. Doug Flutie has been a household name since the 1980s.

 

As for Al Cowlings being repeated on the list, he was involved in an infamous moment, but I think the White Bronco was the star of that scene. Few people even know what Cowlings looks like.

 

The obit angle's a good one, too. I like that. I'll stick with T.O. as my number 2, though a case could be made for Kemp, considering all the play he's getting following his passing. And you're right about Cowlings. I was in Vancouver at the time, and I didn't know Cowlings was a former Bill, nor did I care. The Bronco was the centerpiece.

 

jw

[Delete This Account]

And if he doesn't, you guys will manufacture something...

and you'll read every word, too.

 

jw

[QB Bills]

1. Bill Shakespeare

2. Bill Murray

3. Bill Derlago

4. Will Bill (from Unforgiven)

5. Bill Cosby

6. Billy Jack Haynes

7. Billy Bob Thornton

8. Prince Bill

9. Bill from NYC

10. Bill Brooks

 

bonus Bill

11. Bill Mulder

[judman]

Where is Lou Piccone?