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Darryl Russell will attend the NFL draft and make a selection for the team
Published Apr 20, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute read
Brantford’s Darryl Russell was recently named the Buffalo Bills International Fan of the Year. Photo by Buffalo Bills /Buffalo BillsArticle content
There’s a good chance when Darryl Russell bleeds, it’s Buffalo blue.
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Russell, a Brantford native and diehard Buffalo Bills supporter, was recently named the NFL team’s International Fan of the Year.
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It all came as a shock to the 53-year-old, who was nominated by an unknown person and then asked to take a call by his ticket rep where he thought they would go over details about a tour of the team’s new stadium.
“Then all of a sudden I’m in a Zoom call or Teams call and (former Bills kicker) Steve Christie and a couple of other representatives were there and they said, ‘Hey, we just want you to know that you’ve been elected as International Fan of the Year,’” Russell recalled.
“I was overwhelmed and I teared up a little bit. It was pretty cool.”
Buffalo Bills International Fan of the Year Darryl Russell (middle) with his step-brother Rob Johnson (left) and brother Jason Russell. Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
Russell’s love of the Bills began in the early 1990s.
In Grade 10 at North Park Collegiate, Russell’s brother, Jason, and a few of their friends were fans and they all eventually attended a game together in 1992. Russell was hooked.
He and his buddies continued to go to games throughout high school and they watched as the Bills lost four straight Super Bowls from 1990-93. Despite the disappointment, Russell hung in tight.
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“Young kids now, they became fans probably because of Josh Allen,” said Russell, who attended the 1993 AFC championship game when Buffalo defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-13.
“For us guys when we were their age, it was because of the Fab Four. It was awesome but I never thought I’d go through 17 years of nothing.”
Following the run of the Fab Four – Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith – the Bills suffered a massive drought where they missed the post-season from 2000-2017.
“If someone had told me after the Music City Miracle (in 2000) that we wouldn’t get to a playoff game until 2017, I would have said, yeah right,” said Russell.
Buffalo Bills International Fan of the Year Darryl Russell (in suit) poses with fellow fans. Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
While the Bill suffered, Russell still enjoyed the atmosphere of the games and spending time with his friends and family.
“There’s a build up all week and then the big game comes and there’s something about going to an NFL game,” said the longtime employee at W. Ross Macdonald School who is appreciative of the students’ support of Russell’s passion for the Bills.
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“It’s insane. It’s like a party atmosphere with the adrenaline flowing right from when you pull out of your driveway.”
Russell has made so many friends during his time cheering on the team, including superfan ‘Pinto Ron,’ Bills Elvis and Darth Bill, among others.
“That’s what’s kind of neat,” he said. “You meet a lot of different, what they call, characters.”
Breaking the playoff drought meant a lot.
“I just remember being in tears and thinking, ‘We’re going to do this,’” he said. “And there was a part of me that was sad too because my phone was ringing off the hook, everyone was texting me but not to be able to call my brother and say, ‘Can you believe we did this,’ hurt.”
Darryl and Jason had been through all the ups and downs during their time as Bills fans but sadly Jason passed away from cancer in 2015.
Buffalo Bills International Fan of the Year Darryl Russell (right) with his brother Jason Russell (left) and their friend Brandon (Beezer) Henriksen. Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
Carrying on the tradition of attending games as a season ticket holder since 2012, Russell has been able to see a resurgence in the Bills as they continue to build towards an elusive Super Bowl.
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“I always used to say there’s no one better than the Fab Four but I would say Josh Allen is the greatest thing to ever happen to Buffalo,” he said of the current quarterback leading the team.
Russell, who named his new dog Rusty Allen Russell, which is a nod to his own nickname and Josh’s last name, would love to see his team win a Super Bowl.
“It’s crazy because you think it’s just a sport, right,” he said. “There’s more important things that have happened in my life like losing my brother.
“Maybe I’m a little too passionate but . . . it would be crazy.”
Since being named International Fan of the Year, Russell has been introduced at a Raptors game and been inducted into the Water Buffalo Club – 716, a group that wears distinctive hats to show their support for the Bills.
As Buffalo’s fan of the year nominee, he will attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh from April 23-25 where he’ll make one of Buffalo’s selections. There will also be a commissioner’s dinner that week where each International Fan of the Year from the 32 teams in the league will attend with one eventually named the overall winner.
That person receives a trip to the Super Bowl.
Russell said when people ask him if he considers himself the team’s biggest fan, he has an answer ready.
“I don’t consider myself the biggest Buffalo Bills fan,” he said. “There’s millions of us out there. That’s what makes us Bills fans – we’re like a family.
“To be selected is a great feeling. I just think about how emotional I would be if Jason was here because he would have been beside me the whole time. There’s a part of me recognizing my brother, too.”
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