Two Bills Drive

‘The irony of being back in the same place 10 years later didn’t escape Levy. And while yesterday’s news at least gave him some good memories to take from this city, it couldn’t completely take away the sting of his Super Bowl defeats.’

‘Marv Levy’s journey has taken him from the South Side of Chicago to the hallowed sanctuary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘Norwood said he never was demonized in Buffalo. "They’ve always been supportive. … The fans in Buffalo saw me as somebody who had a great career up there, won a lot of football games for them, was an All-Pro and handled myself well in the community," he said.’

‘"Time has muted a lot of those emotions," Norwood said. "I’m still probably of the feeling that a lot of the questions that I’m answering even today are ones I’ve answered so many times. I can appreciate from [the media’s] perspective why it has to be done, but you also have to understand my position that I’m the one that answers them. It may be fresh to you but over and over, I’m the one that has to answer them."’

‘"Gratitude is the first one. Especially to the Hall of Fame selectors, but to everybody who made it possible. That includes the Buffalo Bills fans so much. They played such a key part to the thrilling decade that I spent there."’

‘"It’s so great to finally have something to celebrate on a Super Bowl weekend," said Levy, alluding to his team’s four Super Bowl losses in the 1990s — including a 20-19 defeat against the New York Giants 10 years ago in the same city as this year’s game, Tampa, Fla.’

‘On Aug. 4, Levy will become only the third member of the Buffalo Bills organization (O.J. Simpson and Billy Shaw are the others) and only the 11th coach in NFL history to receive a Hall of Fame bust.’

‘"You’re clicking the remote and that damn lowlight comes up, and you pray that one freaking time that kick will hook just a few feet to the left," says Jim Kelly, the quarterback of all four Bills Super Bowl teams. "But it never does. It’s always wide right." Then. Now. Forever.’

‘In terms of longevity and achievement, Wilson belongs in Canton. Hopefully he’ll be elected while he still is breathing.’

And so it beings…… Bills fans with less intestinal fortitude may wish go shopping or skiing on Sunday – as Super Bowl coverage is certainly going to bring back a lot of painful memories.

‘Now, Fox and Lewis are hotter than hot. The Browns and Bills are set to go on the offensive Sunday night for Fox and Lewis. The Browns have the money. The Bills have a friend of theirs in high places — team president Tom Donahoe, who worked with Lewis and Fox in Pittsburgh.’

‘Justice was served on Saturday when Marv Levy made the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Bill Parcells did not.’

‘Upon further review, Buffalo’s next head coach won’t necessarily be on the sidelines Sunday night …’

‘In 1986, when Marv Levy was chosen to direct the fortunes of the Buffalo Bills, he brought with him more than 30 years of coaching experience. A graduate of Coe College, Levy began his pro coaching career in 1969 as kicking teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles…’

‘Marv Levy, who coached four straight Buffalo Super Bowl teams, and six players including longtime nominees Lynn Swann and Ron Yary were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.’