Week 1 of the 2025 season… game number 83 in my journey. Even before I set foot in my seat, I knew this one would be special. The Buffalo Bills’ last home opener in the stadium I grew up in.
The weekend started the way every good Bills home opener should, with traditions that have become second nature. Saturday was all about community and celebration. I hit up my favorite Bills stores to check out the new gear (because let’s be honest, you can never have too much Bills red, white, and blue in your closet).
Of course, I then made my way to the Fourth annual Mafia Boat Parade at RiverWorks, which has become such a fun event for opening weekend. It’s not just about boats and the insane amount of fun… it’s about raising money for our local community heroes and kicking off the season together as only Bills Mafia knows how to.
Then came Sunday, and with it: Game Day. I’ve always believed that game day starts the second you wake up, and this one was no exception. My game day fit, designed by the insanely talented Abigail Lee, whose clothing line called Bleached by Abigail was something special: the stadium itself printed on the top and bottom. Wearing the home opener, quite literally. It felt like the perfect tribute for what would be the last first game at the stadium.
The best part of these games, though, isn’t just the outfit or the rituals. It’s the people. Over the past few years of traveling to every game, podcasting with Jerry O, JSpencetheKing, Joe Miller, Sterling Furrow, and John Fina to name a few, getting to interview Stevie Johnson in Vegas Super Bowl week, and getting to share my passion for the rules and salary cap that I nerd out about getting to write for Buffalo Rumblings, during all this time you meet so many faces that turn into friendships. People you used to wave to in passing have become family, our little mafia family.
Sunday, I made my rounds, five tailgates in total. First, I generally hit up the Mafia House to say hello to the owner Shane and visit with my fellow crew of Panchos Army. This visit afforded me the opportunity to meet Holland Roden, the star of Hallmark’s new Christmas movie centered on the Bills!
On our way to The Fans of Buffalo set up behind Big Tree Inn, we stopped by Lori’s on Allen Street where most of my twitter friends tailgate. There I got my first “Mayo” shot of the season. It is not what you think… trust me, because I can’t stand mayonnaise. The Fans of Buffalo tailgate was packed. They had a great food spread and a visit from some famous/infamous YouTube content streamers.
Home opener can be a bit taxing because you truly want to see everyone. So we made our way over to the always rowdy Hammer Lot, where I got to hug Mama J and celebrate another “consecutive game” with her and Kenny, or as Bills Mafia knows him, “Pinto Ron.” They have become two of my biggest supporters who understand this crazy streak better than anyone. They say I am the third in line. I’m not sure if that’s true but to be in the same discussion as these two fan legends is absolutely humbling!
And finally, my “framily’s” tailgate: They’re the ones who started me on this journey in which I finally felt the pull to go to some away games, because spending the weekends with them was the best! They are the ones who have been with me through the highs and lows, the rain and the snow, the heartbreaks and the miracles.
And speaking of miracles…
The game itself? An instant classic. A game that people will still be talking about when this stadium is just a memory. The Bills were down 15 points with less than five minutes left, and honestly, it felt like the game was slipping away. Some fans even started heading for the exits. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned when you have Josh Allen at quarterback it’s that you never… ever… count them out.
A fumble by Derrick Henry cracked the door open. And then Josh Allen kicked it down. Three scoring drives in the final four minutes, capped off by Matt Prater’s 32-yard game-winning field goal as the clock hit zero. From disbelief to chaos, the stands erupted. We hugged strangers, screamed until our throats hurt, and those of us left standing sang Mr. Brightside in unison – and for those of you who know me – it was really the first time I enjoyed singing that song! I even saw a few grown men crying… it’s the kind of tears that only come when you’ve invested your heart in something bigger than yourself. It becomes more than just “football”.
The last home opener in this stadium turned into a comeback for the ages. A perfect memory to tuck into the storybook of this place.
Next week, the journey continues. Game 84 takes us to East Rutherford, New Jersey for Bills vs. Jets. And as always, I’ll be there, ready to cheer, ready to laugh, and ready to keep pushing toward 100.
