Ralph Wilson has died (Please be respectful in this thread)

[Uncle Jesse]

Per Tim Graham from Russ Brandon.


Wow.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Russ Brandon announces Ralph Wilson has died.</p>&mdash; Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByTimGraham/statuses/448532427112472576">March 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wow. I guess it's not unexpected given his age. But wow.

[BertSquirtgum]

Holy ****. I'm not buying it yet. I don't see it anywhere. This would be big news in the sports world.

[better days]

If true, I'm sure some people will be happy about that.

A SAD day in my opinion.

[WagonCircler]

Oh my GOD.

What the hell is going on?

Rest in peace, Ralph. Thank you for the gift you gave us.

[BertSquirtgum]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2185420136/WGR_180x180_grad_bigger.jpg WGR 550 ‏<s>@</s>WGR550 (https://twitter.com/WGR550)

. <s>@</s>ByTimGraham (https://twitter.com/ByTimGraham) reporting Bills owner Ralph Wilson has died.

[Ed]

Wow. I was not expecting to see that thread title. We always knew this day was coming, but sometimes it seemed like Ralph would out live us all.

Well I guess all the questions and speculation about what would happen when Ralph passes away will finally be answered. Sad day.

RIP Ralph Wilson.

[better days]

Wow. I was not expecting to see that thread title. We always knew this day was coming, but sometimes it seemed like Ralph would out live us all.

Well I guess all the questions and speculation about what would happen when Ralph passes away will finally be answered. Sad day.

RIP Ralph Wilson.

Totally agree with this post.

Rest In Peace Ralph.

[coastal]

RIP

[vanbillsfan]

RIP Ralph

[justasportsfan]

RIP Mr. Wilson.

[BertSquirtgum]

https://www.facebook.com/2onyourside?hc_location=timeline

Channel 2 news.

[sukie]

The guy gave us all pro football.

[imbondz]

Wow. RIP Mr. Wilson. Thank you.

[ckg927]

Amen to that.

And soon we will see all you know what break loose about the ownership situation. But now is NOT the time for it.

[BertSquirtgum]

First Ralph, then Jimbo? What the ****.

God really does hate the Bills.

[Jaybird]

The Man had a vision and did tons for NFL and the city of Buffalo. RIP Mr Wilson

[phil3782]

RIP

[gr8slayer]

This thread will get really interesting.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

First Ralph, then Jimbo? What the ****.

God really does hate the Bills.

He's calling them home a lot recently. I hope it's to give them better seats for our Super Bowl run.

[don137]

RIP Ralph. While he may not of been the best owner he was loyal to the fans of Buffalo. Prayers to the Wilson family.

[Skooby]

Oh man, the hits keep coming.

[Syderick]

RIP

[Lucidvizion]

Even having never met the man this still makes me incredibly sad. RIP Ralph... it truly is the end of an era.

[Uncle Jesse]

"Ralph Wilson was 95. He was a World War II veteran, founded the Buffalo Bills and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

[bleve]

RIP. Hellava run

[BidsJr]

RIP RALPH

[tomz]

RIP Mr. Wilson.

[mikemac2001]

Rip mr wilson

thanks for the team

[coastal]

This thread needs more spiked.

[Crisis]

RIP Ralph.

One of those days you know is bound to happen eventually yet you still think it's never going to come.

[hammerbillsfan]

RIP Mr. Wilson :(

[wmoz11]

"Ralph Wilson was 95. He was a World War II veteran, founded the Buffalo Bills and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Talk about an incredible life.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

RIP Wilson.

Already I hear some are saying the Curse is gone and the Bills will do big things this year.

[Blondie]

Oh my GOD.

What the hell is going on?

Rest in peace, Ralph. Thank you for the gift you gave us.

Exactly what was the gift?

:-)

[Lucidvizion]

Not even two pages before the trolling starts.

*shakes head*

[Turf]

Wow, and Jimbo's sick. Not liking it.

[Skooby]

RIP Ralph.

[The King]

RIP.

[gr8slayer]

Any word on what the plan is post-Ralph?

[GvilleBills]

RIP

[blcny]

Thank you Ralph. RIP

[WagonCircler]

I understand and agree with what you're saying.

But I hope it doesn't, for a little while anyway.

[better days]

Any word on what the plan is post-Ralph?

Stay tuned, but I expect it to take quite a while before any new owner is approved.

I doubt it affects things for this year.

[gr8slayer]

Sure hope it's someone with a connection to WNY, someone that wants to keep the team around long-term.
Stay tuned, but I expect it to take quite a while before any new owner is approved.

I doubt it affects things for this year.

[Turf]

I hope its not both Ralph and Jim on the helmets or patch this year.

[THATHURMANATOR]

All you talking **** on this thread shut the **** up already.

RIP Ralph

[Jeff1220]

It's true, we all knew this was coming, yet it felt like it would never happen. I hope to have a shred of the longevity Mr. Wilson had. RIP RW!

[THRILLHO]

Damn.... A sobering day. Thank you to Ralph and the whole Wilson family for Western New York football.

[Ed]

Stay tuned, but I expect it to take quite a while before any new owner is approved.

I doubt it affects things for this year.
I've read before that the Bills could sit in a trust for up to 5 years and that it would likely be at least 2-3 years before a new owner was in place.

I'm already tired thinking about all the rampant speculation and rumors that are going to engulf the Bills for the foreseeable future. It's going to be nauseating.

[Don't Panic]

What a 1-2 punch this franchise is enduring. Quite possibly the two biggest names the Bills franchise has ever known dealing with mortality. Unbelievable the timing. Life can be stranger than fiction sometimes.

[Homegrown]

wow .... RIP Mr Wilson

[coastal]

Makes that lease out at year 7 a little more real now.

[X-Era]

RIP Ralph. The Bills, and subsequently this board and gathering of Bills fans are, in part, here because of him.

As a fellow board member I'd ask that we respect Ralph in this thread.

Thanks.

[SeatownBillsFan21]

Wow the day has finally come. RIP Mr Wilson.

[GvilleBills]

This thread needs more spiked.
I'd say that's the last thing this thread needs.

[Valerie]

Rest in peace, Mr. Wilson. God bless his family and friends. :pray:

[Blondie]

Any word on what the plan is post-Ralph?

To win a super bowl in his honor?

[Buffalo Thriller]

He lived a damn good life. Sad to hear about this.

[SquishDaFish]

RIP Mr. Wilson. Prayers to his family

[trapezeus]

Sad day for sure. He gave me my fandom of football as a young kid by giving us a team. He didn't have to take the deal when they said he couldn't go to miami. he could have taken his toys home and said no. but he was committed to football. He had his issues with ego and being a meddling owner, but we wouldn't all love this with such a passion if he didn't give us the team.

today is the day to thank him for that. in the coming weeks, i'm sure it will get uglier or more salutory based on their succession plan.

[Mr. Miyagi]

OMG!!!! RIP Ralph

[sukie]

I remember how the artist Ricig from the Courier Express used to draw Wilson holding money bags during the whole Joe Cribbs holdout. I was so young back then. Thanks Ralph.

[DraftBoy]

RIP Ralph Wilson

[BertSquirtgum]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/25/bills-owner-ralph-wilson-jr-passes-away-at-age-95/

[Mr. Miyagi]

Kelly's cancer returned, Ralph passes.

Will there still be Buffalo Bills in 2016?

[MidnightVoice]

The end of an era

[RedEyE]

RIP Ralph

[feldspar]

Will there still be Buffalo Bills in 2016?

I would say so. Because of the stadium lease, there is a $400 million penalty for anyone that wants to move the team in the first seven years of the lease, which was just applied last year. So unless somebody wants to buy the team AND pay an additional $400 million penalty to move the team (not to mention the other tremendous millions it would cost to make a move happen), it'll be the Buffalo Bills until at least 2020. $130 million is also being put into renovations for Ralph Wilson Stadium this offseason. Duff's wings will be available too...they're putting Duff's into the stadium...boneless wings for the riff-raff, and the whole shabang in the clubs and suites.

I include this because it probably needs to be heard by those that didn't know.

Ralph Wilson should be honored on this day. RIP Ralph, a true NFL pioneer.

Shocking news, even though he was 95-years-old. Sad news.

[Novacane]

Kelly's cancer returned, Ralph passes.

Will there still be Buffalo Bills in 2016?


Yes! Rip Mr Wilson.

[hemi13]

RIP Ralph. Thank you for giving us all those great years.
LONG LIVE THE BUFFALO BILLS !!!

[Captain gameboy]

Two connections.

As an ex ball boy, however briefly, for the Bills, a Buffalo native and a Charlottesville resident, thanks Mr Wilson for living a life that mattered.

A big benefactor for the University of Virginia, his alma mater, and true to his "stuff," few know about it.

[MTBillsFan]

Thank you Mr. Wilson for over 50 years of Bills football!

[Dozerdog]

Man- This sucks

One hour ago I stepped in the shower and for some reason I was thinking about Jim Kelly's cancer. I was thinking - Not that Ralph Wilson isnt a great man who lived a great life- but how unfair is it that he may outlive both Jack Kemp and Jim Kelly- the 2 biggest winners in the franchise history? I was trying to do the math in my head on how old he was.


I got out of the shower and heard the sad news :(

[gebobs]

OK...here we go. What will the next year bring?

[Historian]

I met him twice:

The first time was at the Airport, circa 1985. OJ was with him. Ralph found it odd that everyone wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph, as opposed to OJ's. He yelled to everybody, "You don't want my autograph, you want the Juice's!" I always thought that was pretty emblematic of the man. He was more happy being on the sidelines, as opposed to the spotlight.

The second time was in 2000. We had a Blue Coat meeting in one of the stadium lounges. (The one on the press box side) As it was breaking up, some of the members were chit chatting with Ralph and he was answering questions. I said to him, "You know Mr. Wilson, my Grandfather died about a year before the Bills made it to their first Super Bowl. He would have given his right arm to see that."

Ralph pointed at me and said, "THAT'S what I'm trying to build here! I want it to be a generational thing."

I shook his hand and thanked him.

Something I'll remember all my life.

Rest in peace big guy.

[Dr. Lecter]

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/2014/03/reaction-on-twitter-to-the-death-of-bills-owner-ralph-c-wilson-jr.html

[Meathead]

my gma was ninety-seven when she died. for most ppl thats a very difficult age to live with, virtually constant suffering. for over a decade almost every time i saw her she told me she was more than ready to die. so when she finally did die i was more relieved than saddened. doesnt change the awesome memories i have of her but her quality of life was so poor it would not have been a bad thing for her to pass years earlier

i get the impression its been like that for a while with ralph. when he handed over the org to russ brandenberg it was self-evident, but i think ralph was suffering for a long time before that

so go in peace, and thanks a lot ralph. if it werent for you im positive the team would have left buffalo a while ago. heres hoping the plan you had in place secures the team in bflo and remains a legacy you can be proud of. ok not recently but still

[Dannyboy]

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/ralph-wilson-owner-of-buffalo-bills-dies-at-95-20140325

All I can do is be thankful for his generosity toward Buffalo and its long time Bills Fans. He could have turned his back on Buffalo a number of times but he didn't. Rest in Peace Ralph Wilson.

[Meathead]

I remember how the artist Ricig from the Courier Express used to draw Wilson holding money bags during the whole Joe Cribbs holdout. I was so young back then. Thanks Ralph.

he was my college art professor when i still entertained ideas of being a cartoonist. very fun and funny guy in person. is he still kicking?

[Uncle Jesse]

I wonder if the Bills will do a public memorial or ceremony or something at the stadium/arena or just wait until the season?

[Buffalogic]

Ralph gave me one of the pillars of my existance. It's really sad to see this book close. They guy had an amazing life.

[Discotrish]

OK...here we go. What will the next year bring?

Definitely a sign that the End of Times are here.

The Bills do not continue on without Ralph. RIP, Ralph, you made life worth living for so many.

It was a nice run! The Buffalo Bills and the USA had some great years!

The planet tried its best. Now, everything's gonna blow...

:sadbye:

http://media.giphy.com/media/UMr9dH0pMhmEw/giphy.gif

http://media.giphy.com/media/V6QXSFVpilLhe/giphy.gif

Patti

[Buffalogic]

I can see the bills having a story book year pulling together for Ralph. It's a sad day, but this is something that can unify a group of men into a brotherhood.

[Michael82]

What a horrible week for Buffalo Bills fans. First Jim Kelly goes to the hospital because his cancer is back and spreading. Then Ralph Wilson passes away. WTF! :(

RIP Mr. Wilson! :(

[imbondz]

I can see the bills having a story book year pulling together for Ralph. It's a sad day, but this is something that can unify a group of men into a brotherhood.

Ummmm. Doubtful. He was 95, probably has not met all the new rookies or even last years or the year before. Not really a rallying cry.

[Bill Cody]

RIP Ralph

[Night Train]

A bow of respect to Ralph. He did have the football acumen equal to my cat but meeting him in person was awesome. At a country club near Boca in Florida, after a round of golf. He,his wife and another couple were drinking martini's in the afternoon and my brother was a member. He introduced me and I recited some of the games I attended at the Rockpile as a kid. He was thrilled and couldn't have been nicer. Reportedly, that's how he treated most everyone. And that's how you're measured.

A good man. RIP

[Generalissimus Gibby]

Ralph, although I disagreed with the direction you took this franchise and while I feel you should have stepped down long ago and established a smooth transition to a new ownership team that would guarantee this team would call OBD home for the forseeable future, I wish you the ultimate respect. May you rest in peace.

<dd>Eternal rest, grant unto Mr. Wilson O Lord</dd><dd>and let perpetual light shine upon him.</dd> May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

I will say nothing disrespectful or questionable in this thread, there will be a time and place for that. This is not either of those. Rest in Peace Ralph

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

A short poem to honor Ralph Wilson

There once was a man named Ralph
Who would never grace the Tralf
Cuzit cost too much money
And believe me honey
He played football with only one-half

No ill will, just a chuckle. RIP

[mead107]

Thank you Ralph . RIP

[paladin warrior]

:grovel: Thank you Ralph ..Rip:grovel: Who will take over and who will be new Owner Buffalo Bills

[Jan Reimers]

My heartfelt prayers go out to Ralph and his family.

[OLDSRIP]

A bow of respect to Ralph. He did have the football acumen equal to my cat but meeting him in person was awesome. At a country club near Boca in Florida, after a round of golf. He,his wife and another couple were drinking martini's in the afternoon and my brother was a member. He introduced me and I recited some of the games I attended at the Rockpile as a kid. He was thrilled and couldn't have been nicer. Reportedly, that's how he treated most everyone. And that's how you're measured.

A good man. RIP

He also gave a lot of money out to different causes.
And he wasn't looking for publicity.

[jayhall93]

It's hard not to feel like a family member just died.

That's what is so special about the Buffalo Bills and the fans.

We are family.

RIP Ralph!!!!

[Fixxxer]

RIP Mr. Wilson

[doug45]

RIP...thanks for everthing!

[YardRat]

http://datxvsvmsae0p.cloudfront.net/usa-lapel-pin-ribbon.jpg

[YardRat]

http://www.offworldvision.com/web/afl2root/pages/pics/aflfounders.jpg

[tampabay25690]

RIP
Ralph is the reason places like billszone are around!
Makes Bills fans nationwide... Sad I will remember 10 years from now this day!!!

[Historian]

My Mother's last few days were a little easier thanks to the Ralph and Mary Wilson Hospice Center.

[Bert102176]

Sad day in Buffalo Bills Nation, R.I.P. Mr. Wilson your loved and will be missed TY for all you have done for us, as I sit here and cry.

[SpikedLemonade]

He was a great man.

[Downinfloflo]

R.I.P Ralph.

Enjoy the Bills wile you still can folks.

[SpikedLemonade]

This thread needs more spiked.

I never have sleepless nights but I had one inexplicably last night. Got home early and crashed this afternoon for 4 hours. Woke up to this.

RIP Ralph.

[SpikedLemonade]

Stay tuned, but I expect it to take quite a while before any new owner is approved.

I doubt it affects things for this year.

That is right.

[kgun12]

Thank You for 54 years of the Bills in Buffalo and having the courage to be brave enough to invest in the AFL

R.I.P Ralph Pray for #12

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9xiAkgEuLCkyTP7jzSnlfjejMtVJL26r-MAI5OyMBW31p31PVbA

[Skooby]

Thank you Ralph for all your efforts & time helping WNY, you will always be remembered !!

[BertSquirtgum]

Ralph was the man. Anyone that hates him can **** off and die themselves.

[ServoBillieves]

Wow. Just have no words at this point. RIP Ralph

[Meathead]

ralphs angel is cheap

[kishoph]

With his health being poor the last couple of years and his advanced age, I think we all knew this time was going to come soon, none the less I am still devastated and somewhat shocked by the news. I guess I just never wanted this day to come. Ralph Wilson as owner of the Bills, has been a big part of my life for over 40 years and I am very grateful for him bringing this team to my home town and keeping it here. Aside from what he has done for football, the man was a great philanthropist and has help thousands upon thousands have a better life. A great man. RIP Ralph Wilson Jr. :teary:

[TacklingDummy]

RIP to one of the greatest owners in all of sports.
Not many owners would have kept this team in Buffalo as long as Ralph did.

[BertSquirtgum]

http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s379/bhurtgam/bills_zps1f3a4707.jpg

[bdutton]

RIP Ralph! Thanks for the memories. From OJ, Fergie, Ground Chuck, The glory years, even the recent years of mediocrity where we had the occasional glimmer of hope.

[Oldbillsfan]

Rest in peace Ralph Wilson, and thank you for protecting the traditions you created in the NFL.

[psubills62]

Wow, I'm just shocked.

This was one of those days that we always talked about, but seemed like it was some nebulous day in the far future that wasn't actually coming. Saddening.

[Owen DeBoard]

RIP Ralph Wilson thank you for Buffalo Bills football.

[GOBILLSGO!!!]

Thanks Ralph

[DesertFox24]

I am not going to read 119 post but if anyone disrespect mr Wilson either seriously or as a joke shame on you.

Mr. Wilson is a WWII vet and kept the team in buffalo when he easily could have left multiple times. In addition he donated more money and time as an anonymous donor and none of us will truly know his impact off the field and who helped.

The man was an example for all of us on the right type of person to be.

Great man.

[Mace]

Being mostly centered around Buffalo my whole life, I find I can measure and mark it by versions of the Bills, better or worse. Looking back I am not bothered at better or worse so much as I am happy the Bills were always there along the ride. A constant, life can fall to ruin, but you can count on those Sundays in the fall and arguing with people who love them as much as you do, and maybe next week, next month or next year.....maybe maybe....

I remember talking about Jim Kelly with my late Dad before he died, could Kelly be the one ? My Uncle my Godfather, was buried in his Bills hat without seeing the Super Bowls, my Gram would give me a beer and we'd watch the game after she worked my stupid punk butt off, my Mom would wake me up when I worked overnight to watch the game with me after I'd come back to take care of her. My girlfriends stopped what they were doing game days to see the game with me. My Mom died quietly and peacefully in that Hospice wing donated by Ralph & Mary..people, faces, time, and the team as a constant.

Mr. Wilson said previously, he saw Buffalo as a little Detroit, implying he liked our fierce, in the stories you see he saw we WANTED football and a team to love, loved us enough to stay here, easy enough to see he could have moved and made more. There aren't many who don't bail on us sooner or later. He never did.

We had bad teams, but we had one. It's kind of funny looking back and remembering Bruce Mathison and Joe Dufek, Willie Totten, and actually rooting for them because they might really turn out to be good. He probably thought so too.

Kicked out a lot to charity, never did mean things, like Irsay or Bidwell moving their teams, like Bud Adams flipping the bird.

Sleep well Mr. Wilson, and thank you for giving me a team to love through my life. It really meant a lot more than you probably ever knew. I hated you sometimes, loved you other times, but we were always on the same train, hoping to end up the same place.

RIP.

[THRILLHO]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/25/league-reacts-to-the-passing-of-ralph-wilson/

Some amazing things said by folks from around the league. Say what you will about him, but I read Greg Williams' more than once and loved it.

[stuckincincy]

RIP, Mr. W.

[kishoph]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/25/league-reacts-to-the-passing-of-ralph-wilson/

Some amazing things said by folks from around the league. Say what you will about him, but I read Greg Williams' more than once and loved it.

It's great to see that so many of the league's VIP's realize how much Mr. Wilson meant to the NFL and what it has become.

[LarryBoy]

:sadbye:

[ticatfan]

Wow. I was not expecting to see that thread title. We always knew this day was coming, but sometimes it seemed like Ralph would out live us all.

Well I guess all the questions and speculation about what would happen when Ralph passes away will finally be answered. Sad day.

RIP Ralph Wilson.Talking about the same up here.
http://forums.cfl.ca/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=89443

[BrunnyJ]

Good Job Ralph!!!

[feldspar]

Good Job Ralph!!!

Please be respectful in this thread.

[jills]

Rest in peace.

[Luisito23]

Devastating news.

Ralph Wilson has done a lot of great things, both for football, and the lives of others. I only wish I had met him, or even seen him in person.

He will always be in my thoughts, as if he was a friend.

Thank you for all the memories and for everything you've done Mr. Wilson.

[Historian]

It's great to see that so many of the league's VIP's realize how much Mr. Wilson meant to the NFL and what it has become.

The Snyder interview was the one that surprised me the most.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

RIP MR. WILSON.

[Rockstar]

I'm late to this thread. Still feel like a newbie here in the Zone after 9 years at the Range. I want to leave here what I posted on the day of Mr Wilson's death on my Facebook page.

"I know there is mixed feelings about this man regarding football and his dealings with the team. But in his passing I will remember him for his loyalty to Buffalo in keeping the team here in Western NY, as well as his historical role in merging the AFL into the NFL. Lets not forget he was a WWII Veteran also.. God bless and rest in peace Mr. Wilson."

[Rockstar]

Good Job Ralph!!!


:down:

[Historian]

Zygi Wilf, Vikings owner

Huh???

[BertSquirtgum]

Ralph is dead and the Bills still suck. Who do we blame now?