NFL Fan Value Experience - Buffalo Bills (merged)

[Pride]

Good article! I agree with most of it:

"Some people park their campers and RVs as early as Friday for a Sunday early afternoon game" ... "and leave the day after the game." For many, a tailgate that some estimate draws "twice as many people in the lots as the stadium," is "one of the top 50 things you have to do before you die." "There's nothing better than firing up the grill at the crack of dawn for some sausages and eggs, then having a pregame meal and steaks post-game." "Everything from hot dogs to T-bones to the occasional lobster" grace the game-day menu, "and you can't forget the ribs, shrimp and fried turkey!" Of course, that's in addition to the "Polish and Italian sausage," "chicken wings," "chili" and "huge chunks of meat from unknown origin" being cooked "over giant flames rising from giant barrels." With large lots surrounding the stadium, the "unbelievable" scene spreads in a "360-degree circle around the facility." Touch football games can be found "in every aisle," and special tailgate vehicles with built-in grills, sound systems and hot tubs [on flatbed trailers]" make the rounds. The mayhem that is the Buffalo pregame scene may best be captured by the "infamous Pinto tailgate," where food is cooked "on the hood" of an old Pinto next to a portable wet bar, where shots are poured into a bowling ball for passers-by. "After you drink, you need to blow a [yodeling] horn and drop the ball. If the ball doesn't land with the hole up, you have to drink a penalty shot ..." You get the idea. For those looking to escape the zaniness -- and elements -- the Bills host "football skills games for little kids" at their practice fieldhouse, but most huddle around a parking lot filled with "so many bonfires and team flags, it reminds one of an old Army troop gathering before an epic battle."
SCORE 9 out of 10


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.bills/

[Michael82]

That's awesome! I like that they mentioned Kenny too. :up:

[justasportsfan]

bills fans got mad props from Jim Rome in his interview with Evans today :up:

[Michael82]

I love the first quote about the Bills experience.... :bf1:


"Buffalo enjoys a 'work hard, party hard' atmosphere'" "Fans have no trouble ... putting their throat and body on the line, shouting out their lungs, bare-chested, in the freezing cold." "The more it snows, the louder it gets." But there is a second edge to the crowd's sword. "Bills fans are passionate, but there's often a concern about what the drunk bozo next to you is going to do." "People are mostly civil, but we have our share of idiots who think it's cool to assault an opposing fan, although security does a good job of taking care of those situations." While some express concern that "my 10-year-old had a whole new vocabulary before kickoff," others have no desire to sterilize an arena where even "old women scream 'Kill 'em!' at the top of their lungs at 10 below." "I like that it's not a corporate atmosphere." "The average Bills fan ... is a salt-of-the-earth kind who anyone would want to have as a neighbor." "It sounds corny, but it really is a community thing."

[Gunzlingr]

1. Packers - Lambeau Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.packers/)
2. Steelers - Heinz Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.steelers/)
3. Browns - Cleveland Browns Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.browns/)
4. Lions - Ford Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.lions/)
5. Ravens - M&T Bank Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.ravens/)
6. Eagles - Lincoln Financial Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.eagles/)
7. Seahawks - QWEST Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.seahawks/)
8. Colts - RCA Dome (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.colts/)
9. Titans - LP Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.titans/)
10. Panthers - Bank of Amer. Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.panthers/)
11. Patriots - Gillette Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.patriots/)
12. Jaguars - Municipal Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.jaguars/)
13. Broncos - INVESCO Field at Mile High (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.broncos/)
14. Texans - Reliant Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.texans/)
15. Bills - Ralph Wilson Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.bills/)
16. Chiefs - Arrowhead Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.chiefs/)
17. Buccaneers - Raymond James Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.bucs/)
18. Saints - Louisiana Superdome (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.saints/)
19. Bengals - Paul Brown Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.bengals/)
20. Bears - Soldier Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.bears/)
21. Raiders - McAfee Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.raiders/)
22. Chargers - Qualcomm Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.chargers/)
23. Dolphins - Dolphin Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.dolphins/)
24. Cardinals - Univ. of Phoenix Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/26/fvi.cardinals/)
25. Giants - Giants Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.giants/)
26. Cowboys - Texas Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.cowboys/)
27. Rams - Edward Jones Dome (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.rams/)
28. Redskins - FedEx Field (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.redskins/)
29. Falcons - Georgia Dome (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.falcons/)
30. 49ers - Monster Park (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.niners/)
31. Vikings - HHH Metrodome (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.vikings/)
32. Jets - Giants Stadium (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.jets/)



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/11/01/fvi.intro/index.html

[BillsOverDolphins]

32. Jets - Giants Stadium
:roflmao:

[FlyingDutchman]

Yeah the Jags probably deserve to be ahead of us, seeing how they have to cover half their seats with a tarp to look full. Looks like they're doing a bang up job.

[SABuffalo786]

I don't know how we get a 6 for stadium atmosphere. Did they watch the Monday night game? Guess we'll have to convince them in two Sundays....

[MTBillsFan]

I was at Lambeau for the Packers and Bears in early October...now maybe because it was 85 freakin degrees at kickoff but I wasn't overly impressed with the crowd or the atmosphere! Long and slow lines for the concessions and restrooms and the beer wasn't all that cold. HOWEVER!! I did see two chicks get in a fight on the way out of the game though... (it was my buddy's wife and her sister)

I CAN'T wait to be at the Ralph Dec 9th for the Bills and phishies!

[PECKERWOOD]

Everytime I goto RWS it never gets old, it's like the morning of Christmas, that's the only way I can describe it. Honestly, I'm probably one of the more laid back type of people that you would meet in real life but when it comes game time it feels nice to get on your feet and jump and just scream your ASS off and not only get away with it but your encouraged for it! Bills games are a great place to experience joy and an equally great place to vent your anger! Everybody gets so into it, it's surreal.

[El Guapo]

Everytime I stand for the National Anthem, when it is over and the crowd roars, I always say to my wife, "There's no where I'd rather be at this particular moment than right here."

I have gone to Buffalo games around the US before I bought season tickets, and I have yet to be to a stadium that is anything like the Ralph. Mind you, I have not been to Cleveland or Green Bay, and I would imagine they are impressive themselves, but the Ralph is just special.

I am from Alabama, and I have been to almost every SEC stadium -- except Vandy, Miss State, Florida and Arkansas -- and none of those stadiums hold a candle to the Ralph.

15th? Kiss my a**. For true, hardcore fans, more like three or four.

[Gunzlingr]

Everytime I stand for the National Anthem, when it is over and the crowd roars, I always say to my wife, "There's no where I'd rather be at this particular moment than right here."

I have gone to Buffalo games around the US before I bought season tickets, and I have yet to be to a stadium that is anything like the Ralph. Mind you, I have not been to Cleveland or Green Bay, and I would imagine they are impressive themselves, but the Ralph is just special.

I am from Alabama, and I have been to almost every SEC stadium -- except Vandy, Miss State, Florida and Arkansas -- and none of those stadiums hold a candle to the Ralph.

15th? Kiss my a**. For true, hardcore fans, more like three or four.

Were you in MN for the last Vikes Bills game?

[MTBillsFan]

What I was tryin to say is that Lambeau ain't all it's cracked up to be! Also, Oakland is an ***** joke of a stadium for fans! Raiders fans are all ******ed! I got 3 death threats a couple of years ago in October.

[SquishDaFish]

I know the Pats are a great team but there tailgating doesnt compare to Buffalo. Buffalo blows them out of th ewater.

[El Guapo]

Were you in MN for the last Vikes Bills game?

No, I didn't make that one.