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Tag: Buffalo Bills

  • Brittany Burns: Buffalo Bills Linebacker Tony Steward’s Fiancee Dies of Ovarian Cancer

    Brittany Burns was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer less than a month ago. Three days later–on December 9–Buffalo Bills linebacker Tony Steward proposed to his longtime girlfriend. On Tuesday, Brittany Burns passed away. She was just 26 years old.

    Shortly after learning she was sick, Burns and Steward set out to help other young women suffering from similar illnesses. The two launched “Britt and Tony’s Fight Like a Girl Campaign,” accepting donations for the cause on CrowdRise. They also created the hashtag #fightlikeagirl, using it in their social media posts.

    One of the last Instagram posts on Brittany Burns’ page shows a group of men at an Atlanta sports training facility, as they are wishing her well and yelling the slogan.

    “These guys rock! It’s the little words that come from God that mean so much! Can’t wait to be in their positive presence ? @z32smith @hammersmith27 @coachchipsmith,” she captioned it.

    A video posted by Brittany Burns (@bburns) on

    Brittany Burns remained grateful and gracious throughout her cancer fight, taking to social media on the day of her diagnosis.

    Her spirits were still high weeks later, when a second round of chemo was needed.

    Now that Brittany Burns is gone, Tony Steward needs the support of his loved ones and his friends to help him cope with this devastating loss.

    Brittany Burns will live on in the heart of Tony Steward and others who loved her. They will no doubt keep her memory alive by continuing the #fightlikeagirl campaign.

  • 6 Feet Of Snow: Bills Pay Fans To Shovel Stadium

    Hey Buffalo Bills fans, want to see your team play the Jets this Sunday? If you do, you may have to pitch in to help clear snow from the stadium.

    There may be over six feet of snow on the ground come game time this weekend, but the Bills want to do everything possible to play the game at home.

    Ralph Wilson Stadium is located in Orchard Park, south of Buffalo, one of the areas affected by the massive lake effect snowstorm that touched down earlier this week. The National Weather Service reported that some areas could reach the record for single-day snowfall in the United States, which is currently 6 feet 4 inches.

    The NFL team took to Twitter to seek out some help in removing the estimated 220,000 tons of snow that is currently blanketing the stadium. The pay is not bad at $10 an hour plus game tickets.

    The team is obviously desperate. They insist that no one will be refused work.

    Unfortunately for the Buffalo area, the storm isn’t over. More lake effect snow is expected. The weather service issued a warning that an additional 3 to 8 more inches could come on Wednesday, followed by perhaps 2 more feet on Thursday night into Friday morning. Interestingly enough, the lake effect snow from Lake Erie crushed several areas in south Buffalo, however, Buffalo airport which is only six miles away, got less than 4 inches.

    Governor Cuomo issued a state of emergency for 10 Buffalo-area counties. The National Guard was also called to help clear the snow.

  • Jon Bon Jovi Reportedly Dumped By Investment Group

    Jon Bon Jovi has reportedly been dropped by the Toronto-based investment group he partnered with to bid on the Buffalo Bills, sources told the New York Post, because they felt they had a better chance of gaining control of the team without him.

    The rocker has made headlines several times in recent months with his interest in the NFL team, with fans upset that he would take over and move the Bills to Toronto. Even though the team has a strict clause in their contract that keeps them playing at Ralph Wilson stadium through 2019, Bills fans took to social media recently to vent their frustrations about a possible move. Team President Russ Brandon issued a statement saying it was in everyone’s best interest to keep the team where it’s always been.

    “Everyone is motivated to keep this franchise viable here for generations to come,” Brandon said.

    Because Bon Jovi would have been the lead investor in the group, his share would have to be about 30% of the purchase price. With a net worth of $300 million, he would have been limited in bids while the other investors are willing to go higher.

    Final bids from each potential investor are due this week, with Donald Trump still in the running. Still on board in Bon Jovi’s former group are Larry Tanenbaum, who is chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, and Edward Rogers, a Rogers Communications chairman.

  • Jon Bon Jovi Advances In Bid For Buffalo Bills

    Jon Bon Jovi and the investment group he’s affiliated with in Toronto have reached the final stages of a deal to acquire the Buffalo Bills, alhough there are two other potential buyers who could still take over: Donald Trump and Sabres owner Terry Pegula.

    The New Jersey native has been interested in buying a team for a while now, but his bid for the Bills has been met with mixed reactions from fans after rumors began to fly about the team being moved to Toronto. However, both Bon Jovi and the current team president Russ Brandon say there is no intention of moving the team.

    “Everyone is motivated to keep this franchise viable here for generations to come,” Brandon said.

    The team is required by contract to play at Ralph Wilson Stadium through 2019 or face a penalty in excess of $400 million, so it’s not likely the team would be going anywhere even if Bon Jovi and his partners take possession.

    The final phase of negotiations comes after Bon Jovi entered a second bid following concern that the first one was too low.

    “Finalists soon will be asked to submit binding bids, probably before month’s end. The trust and transaction team then will select a preferred buyer and begin purchase negotiations, if this sale follows the usual trajectory. The seller can amend the sale process at any time,” said reporter John Kryk.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jon Bon Jovi Faces Strong Criticism From Former Bill

    Jon Bon Jovi has faced some strong criticism lately for his interest in acquiring the Buffalo Bills, but now he’s also getting it from former team members.

    Bon Jovi, who is one-third of a Toronto-based investment group interested in the purchase, has been eyeing the NFL team for a while now but is up against potential buyers like Donald Trump and Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula. There has been some concern among fans that because the rocker’s investment group is based in Canada, the team would be moved away from New York. Outside of that, there’s a wariness regarding a new owner following the death of Ralph Wilson earlier this year.

    “Man, f— Bon Jovi! You might as well just take this city, throw it in the river, and let it go down Niagara Falls,” former Bills wide receiver Andre Reed said recently.

    Bills President Russ Brandon has shot down rumors of relocation, saying the team will stay where it is if for no other reason than that it was Ralph Wilson’s wish. It’s also in the team’s contract that they must play at Ralph Wilson stadium until 2019 or face a multi-million dollar fine.

    “Everyone is motivated to keep this franchise viable here for generations to come,” Brandon said.

    Reed will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday and says it’s coming at a good time due to the speculation and uncertainty surrounding his former team.

    “This is bigger than me. We all know what’s going on with the team and all that stuff. This is like a breath of fresh air. I’m glad I’m at the forefront of this, because there’s something to be happy about,” he said.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jon Bon Jovi Wants To Keep The Bills Where They Are

    Jon Bon Jovi is a potential buyer in the bid for NFL team the Buffalo Bills, but a source connected to his group says the rumors of relocation are untrue.

    The team went up for sale in March after owner Ralph Wilson passed away, but Bon Jovi isn’t the only buyer interested in it; Donald Trump and Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula are also in talks to take over ownership, which won’t come cheap. The team is expected to go for about $1 billion.

    The New Jersey native won’t be the sole owner if the deal goes through, however; the Toronto-based investment group he’s associated with has two other investors, so ownership of the team would be split into thirds.

    A strict clause in the team’s contract stipulates that they must play at Ralph Wilson stadium throughout 2019 anyway, so relocation is not an option unless the buyers want to face a penalty in excess of $400 million. Ouch.

    “There’s nothing that says the NFL will ever give you the right to move it, irrespective of whatever the lease says,” a sports franchise expert said.

    Bon Jovi has expressed interest in owning a team for a while now, since at least last fall. When word got out, fans became concerned that he might take the opportunity to relocate the team. But Bills President Russ Brandon said that Wilson was committed to keeping them right where they are.

    “Everyone is motivated to keep this franchise viable here for generations to come,” Brandon said.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Monica Seles To Marry Thomas Golisano

    Monica Seles, famous tennis player and former stab victim, is engaged to marry Thomas Golisano, potential future Buffalo Bills owner and billionaire. The kicker is that he is 72. She is 40.

    Surely images are beginning to conjure of Anna Nicole and other such young ladies who married much, much older men (for their money). Is Monica Seles in it for the money?

    The couple have been dating since 2009, so there must be something there other than just money. Besides, she’s not doing too bad for herself.

    Golisano announced his impending nuptials and happiness, at an appearance at Bishop Kearney High School in Irondequoit, NY on Thursday. Golisano and Seles both live happily in Florida, where he moved in 2009 after proclaiming to escape New York’s high taxes.

    Seles recently hinted at some life changes when she put her Sarasota mansion on the market and said she wanted to “downsize”. She was stabbed in 1993 by a crazy fan of her opponent, Steffi Graff. She then spent two years away, but managed to earn eight Grand Slam titles before her 20th birthday and then retired in 2008.

    Golisano is the founder of Paychex, Inc. and was the company’s head until 2004 when he retired. He now focuses on philanthropy through his foundation The Golisano Foundation.

    Golisano has a political past, as well. He had three failed governorship runs on the Independence Party line in 1994, 1998 and 2002. He never got more than 14% of the vote and never realized that dream.

    However, his dream to own the Buffalo Bills and marry a younger woman just might work out for him. He announced his intentions to put in a bid for the Buffalo Bills at the same appearance that he announced his engagement to Monica Seles. How romantic!

    He stated that he wants to keep the Bills in Western New York.

    Congratulations to the happy couple!

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Monica Seles Engaged to 72-Year Old Billionaire

    Professional tennis player Monica Seles has secured many titles in her lifetime. She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has won nine Grand Slam singles titles, and was the youngest-ever French Open champion at the age of 16. Now, at age 40, she is about to become the wife of a billionaire.

    Last Thursday at an appearance at a high school in Rochester, New York, former gubernational candidate Brase Thomas “Tom” Golisano announced that he is engaged to Seles. The couple have been dating since 2009.

    Golisano, 72, was the founder of Paychex, the second largest payroll processor in the United States. He is also a founding member of the Independence Party of New York and, over three years, spent over $93 million on campaigns to get elected, which he never was. However, Golisano did bring more popularity to the Independence Party, giving it a place on the ballot in New York for the next four years.

    In 2009, the former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team moved to Florida to escape the tax burden of New York.

    It was also announced last week that Golisano is interested in buying the Buffalo Bills from the family of the late Ralph Wilson, who died on March 25.

    Given Golisano’s age, and depending on ownership structures and prenuptial agreements, Seles could end up owning the team one day. This fact, and also the difference in their ages, have sparked many comments on social media.

    In 1993, Seles suffered from an on-court stabbing when an obsessed fan of Steffi Graf stabbed Seles between her shoulder blades with a boning knife. It took a few weeks for Seles to heal, but she didn’t return to tennis for more than two years. Since then, Seles feels like not enough has been done to increase the level of security at tennis events.

    “From the time I was stabbed,” Seles said in 2011, “I think the security hasn’t changed.”

    Golisano and Seles have not yet announced a wedding date.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Monica Seles: Owner Of The Buffalo Bills?

    Monica Seles: Owner Of The Buffalo Bills?

    Hungarian tennis pro Monica Seles, 40, is engaged to 72-year-old Tom Golisano, the former owner of the NHL team, Buffalo Sabres.

    Seles is known for being stabbed by a fan of German tennis star and rival Steffi Graf. Due to the injury, Seles had to stop playing tennis for two years. She retired in 2008.

    Seles and Golisano started dating in 2009. In a visit to Bishop Kearney High School in Irondequoit on Thursday, Golisano announced their engagement.

    According to reports, Golisano has shown his interest in purchasing the Buffalo Bills that was founded and owned by the late Ralph Wilson. Wilson’s family has been in charge of the team since Wilson’s death on March 25 of this year.

    Given the big age gap between Seles and Golisano, it is most likely that Seles will outlive the businessman and philanthropist. If plans of purchasing the Buffalo Bills push through, Seles could be the future owner of the NFL team. Of course, this all depends on the pre-nuptial agreements that have to be settled before their marriage.

    Seles played professional tennis from 1989 to 2003, and became the youngest French Open champion at the age of 16. Between 1990 and 1993, she achieved eight grand slam titles before the age of 20, and was consistently ranked no. 1 in the world. However, she never got back to her great form after returning from her stabbing. In 2011, Seles was named one of “30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future” by Time.

    Golisano, a billionaire, is the founder of the Paychex payroll processing company. He is the former owner of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team and the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. Golisano is now spending his time awarding grants and giving donations to various charities.

    Seles and Golisano now live in Florida.

    Image via YouTube

  • Buffalo Bills: New Owner May Be Announced in July

    The Buffalo Bills may have a new owner. Although nothing will be announced until a few months from now, a deal is in the works with an interested party.

    Through an anonymous source, the Associated Press reported that the Buffalo Bills could be sold as soon as July. A major sales group has toured Buffalo, New York, for new stadium locations. Since the sale has not been finalized, anonymity has been preserved for the source and the potential buyer.

    Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has sped up the New York State government’s involvement with the sale. He plans to hire a consulting firm to advise owners to preserve the current location of the team or at least keep the team in New York State. “The governor wants to be prepared if there are any earlier offers to buy the team,” Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said, “Our team is looking at sites now in Erie County, Buffalo, Niagara County. We’re just being prepared because we don’t know who the next owner will be. We’re not sure what the goals and the objectives of the next ownership team will be.”

    Lots of names have been passed around for the potential new owner of the Bills. Bon Jovi, the New Jersey rock and roll musician expressed an interest in November. The musician was a primary owner of an Arena Football League team, and he has been proactive in meeting with NFL leadership.

    Donald Trump has been in the mix too. He received an endorsement from retired player Herschel Walker. If Trump doesn’t decide to buy the Bills, he may run for New York State Governor instead.

    Since the death of long time Bills owner Ralph Wilson in March, many more names have come up as interested parties. The Wire published a list which included billionaire New York City real estate developer Howard Milstein, former Hall of Fame Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, and NHL’s Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs.

    Image via Buffalo Bills, Twitter

  • Herschel Walker Backs Trump For Bills Ownership

    Herschel Walker gave an interesting interview to USA Today this week, and portions of it have spread like wildfire online after he both claimed he could step into an NFL game today–at the age of 52–and announced that he backs Donald Trump’s decision to go for ownership of the Buffalo Bills.

    Walker and Trump have a longstanding friendship, going back to his pre-NFL days, when he played for the tycoon on the USFL’s New Jersey Generals in 1984/1985. Walker says Trump would keep the Bills relevant.

    “He would be a great owner, and a credible owner. People can think what they want to think about Jerry Jones — he’s a terrible general manager, but he’s a great owner. He has done a tremendous job in marketing his team to keep it relevant. I think that’s the same thing Donald Trump would do with the Buffalo Bills,” Walker said.

    While many of Trump’s fans are supportive of the idea, some think he may have a problem with some of the other NFL owners after his 1986 antitrust lawsuit against the league on behalf of the USFL.

    “He did try to bring the NFL down,” said an unnamed NFL owner. “Certainly, a lot of owners aren’t around anymore. Maybe some of the new guys wouldn’t bear the same type of resentment that some of the older guys would. Do you think he would be a good partner for us or be somewhat of a maverick and be in it for himself? All questions that have to be asked. It’s not just the USFL stuff. Who knows how serious he is. He likes to have his name out there. Let’s put it this way: I don’t think his confirmation would be a slam dunk.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Herschel Walker, MMA Fighter, Wants To Play Football, Thinks Trump Should Own Buffalo Bills

    In an interview with USA Today, Herschel Walker, 52 year old former NFL running back and current MMA fighter, said “I can play in the NFL today.” Although he conceded that he “couldn’t take every snap”, he was quick to point out, “running backs nowadays don’t play every down. Now they send in the choir section. Physically, I can still do it.”

    Walker made similar noises about returning to the NFL back in 2011, when he was still 48. “I’ve told everyone that at 50 I might try football again to show people I can do that,” he had said at a news conference, “I’m 48 and in better shape now than I was when I was in my early 20s, playing football.” He added that, if he did join a team, it would be the Atlanta Falcons because “I’m a Georgia boy. That’s just home.”

    It has been 17 years since Walker last played football. His last game was in 1997 when he played for the Dallas Cowboys and barely touched the ball. The Cowboys lost to the New York Giants 20 to 7.

    Playing football wasn’t all Walker discussed with USA Today. He said that Donald Trump would be “a great owner, and a credible owner” for the Buffalo Bills.

    “People can think what they want to think about Jerry Jones — he’s a terrible general manager, but he’s a great owner. He has done a tremendous job in marketing his team to keep it relevant. I think that’s the same thing Donald Trump would do with the Buffalo Bills,” Walker explained, “He may rub some people the wrong way, but you can’t argue with his success as a businessman. You want an owner with some flair. He knows how to promote.”

    Speaking of promotion, Trump was apparently tickled with Walker’s comments, repeating them in a tweet:

    There is no mention of Walker’s comments on his Twitter account. Instead, the former football player focuses on his charity efforts. WHAS11 reported that Walker was in Louisville, KY last week to discuss mental health. Health, both mental and physical, has been a key issue for Walker in the many charity events he attends.

    Herschel Walker wrote Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder. According to the publisher’s website, “In Breaking Free, Herschel tells his story — from the joys and hardships of childhood to his explosive impact on college football to his remarkable professional career. And he gives voice and hope to those suffering from DID. Herschel shows how this disorder played an integral role in his accomplishments and how he has learned to live with it today.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders Want (At Least) Minimum Wage

    Five former cheerleaders have filed suit over wages against the Buffalo Bills. The team currently classifies cheerleaders as independent contractors, not as employees, thereby bypassing minimum wage requirements. The court may challenge their status, according to Tarnished Twenty, if it finds that “the organization gives a worker instructions on how to perform work, controls the work hours, tells the worker what to wear, and exercises a good amount of control over the worker.”

    In addition to wage complaints, the Jills were required to attend special functions in bikinis and be “auctioned off” to event guests. The team also dictated many aspects of the girls’ personal lives from nail polish and personal hygiene to social media posts. One cheerleader describes “a jiggle test to see what parts of our body were jiggling, and if that was something that she saw, you were getting benched.”

    The cheerleaders and their lawyer, Frank Dolce, still consider themselves Bills fans: “We definitely want our organization and other organizations in the NFL to respect the rights of these cheerleaders.”

    Other fans share their wish and have offered their support in the form of tweets:

    The Deadspin article went on to cite the official complaint regarding the infamous “jiggle test”:

    62. In addition, the Jills were subjected to weekly “physique evaluations” during which defendants’ representatives tested the Jills’ bodies for “jiggling.” During the “Jiggle Test” defendants scrutinized the women’s stomach, arms, legs, hips, and butt while she does jumping jacks. The physique evaluations largely determine whether or not any particular Jill would be allowed to perform at the Bills’ next home game. Jills that failed to meet defendants’ physical standards received warnings, and in some cases were penalized, suspended or dismissed.

    Add this to fact the one cheerleader was “told to ‘tone up’ her body after one such evaluation. She began a stringent diet and exercise plan, only to be accused later of anorexia.” Plus, the pay ranges from $1,800 to $150 for the entire season, way below New York State’s minimum wage of eight dollars an hour. Other complaints can be read on the official summons:

    Buffalo Jills Suit

    For a look into what it takes to be a Buffalo Bills cheerleader, check out the YouTube video below. However, unless this suit is successful, be warned: the pay is terrible.

    Image via WIVBTV, YouTube

  • Buffalo Bills Fans Sue Over Text Alert Snafu, Win Buffalo Bills Gift Cards

    Thousands of Buffalo Bills fans will receive gift cards to purchase official Buffalo Bills merchandise after they received a few too many text alerts from the team’s now-disbanded automatic text service.

    Back in 2012, Bills fan Jerry Wojcik filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL organization, claiming that he received three-too-many texts from the Bills during a two-week period. The former Bills text alert system promised no more than five text alerts per week, and Wojcik claimed to have received 13 over two weeks.

    At the time, many labeled the lawsuit frivolous, misguided, and a true “what the hell, dude” moment. But now, a year-and-a-half later, the Bills have settled for roughly $3 million.

    The majority of the settlement with go to members of the class, who will receive either $57.50, $65, or $75 gift cards, according to The Buffalo News. Those gift cards can only be redeemed at the official Bills store inside the stadium or online. It may be enough to buy a Stevie Johnson jersey. Probably not.

    The Bills will hand out up to $2.5 million in gift cards to members of the class, which could total as many as 39,750 (that’s how many were signed up to the service). No word on how many fans were “bombarded” with three or so extra texts.

    “The Buffalo Bills have reached a settlement in this matter which we believe is in the best interest of our organization and our fans. The purpose of the Bills’ voluntary, opt-in text messaging program was to provide our fans with information they requested about the team. The organization maintains that our text messaging program was in compliance with the law,” said a Bills spokesperson.

    Wojcik himself will receive $5,000, you know, for being brave enough to sue. The rest of the money (over $500,000) will go to lawyers fees.

    Ah, the American civil justice system at work.

    This is not the only lawsuit the Buffalo Bills find themselves a part of. A new, and possibly more expensive affair involves former cheerleaders suing over paltry pay and degrading practices such as “jiggle tests”. Yikes.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders Sue Team Over Pay

    On Tuesday, five former Buffalo Bills cheerleaders filed a lawsuit against the NFL team over an unfair pay system.

    The girls, known as the Buffalo Jills, claim that they were required to work hundreds of hours at games and mandatory public appearances for little to no pay.

    Because the team classifies their cheerleaders as independent contractors, they are exempt from the state’s $8 minimum wage law and other workplace policies.

    Two members of the squad, along with their attorney Frank Dolce, held a press conference on Tuesday. “We are Bills fans,” said Dolce. “We definitely want our organization and other organizations in the NFL to respect the rights of these cheerleaders.”

    When the girls signed up for the team, they never expected the costs that would come along with it. Not only do they have to pay $650 for their uniforms, for which they are not reimbursed, they also receive no pay for practices or games and are required to make 20-35 public appearances each season.

    Aside from the money, the girls also claim that they received degrading and demeaning treatment. They revealed that they were subjected to “jiggle tests” in which they would have to shake in front of their coach to see if any part of their bodies jiggled. They also were required to wear bikinis to several events, and received sexual advances and comments from the public.

    According to the girls, the team controlled everything they did, including their personal lives. “Everything from standing in front of us with a clipboard having us do a jiggle test to see what parts of our body were jiggling,” Alyssa U., one of the former cheerleaders, said, “and if that was something that she saw, you were getting benched.”

    The Buffalo Bills are not the only team facing a lawsuit from former cheerleaders. The Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals have suits pending against them as well.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jim Kelly Fans Welcome Him Home To Buffalo

    Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly received a warm welcome from his fans as he made is way home to Buffalo, New York.

    Thousands of fans gathered at the airport dressed head to toe in Buffalo Bill attire and carrying signs with greetings to Kelly. Sadly, they weren’t able to get a glimpse of Kelly, as his plane landed at a different area of the airport.

    After suffering from severe migraines, doctors diagnosed Kelly with cancer, and said that he had “countless microscopic” tumors in his head. Since then, Kelly has been receiving treatment for his diagnosis, and says that he will be back.

    Despite not being able to see Kelly at the airport, fans were excited to learn that he would be staying put, and receiving the rest of his treatments at home in Buffalo.

    “We thought we’d come out and show our support, and wish him well and all that, and hope everything is alright. (We) hope he gets past this. He’s got a tough road, and I hope he can get over it,” fan Paul Heimer said.

    “For him to have adopted this city says that we mean a lot more than, we’re more than just a place and a team. We’re a community that actually takes people in and makes them feel welcome. For him to throw that love back at us, for all the philanthropy he’s done, for all the support he’s shown, for his efforts to try to keep the team in Buffalo, whatever they may be, we have to support him right back because he’s basically taken us in,” said another fan Michael Parthum.

    Kelly shared a photo on his wife’s Instagram account, with a caption thanking all of his fans for their support. “#12 has a quick HOMECOMING message for #BUFFALO and our amazing fans! WE ARE SO BLESSED by your love and we thank God for you! Keep praying! The battle isn’t over! But we are confident in the ONE who leads the charge! And we celebrate Him!! #prayersforJK,” he wrote.

    He later shared another post that read: ““Hey everybody, I’m glad to be home, back in Buffalo. Sorry I missed some of you guys at the airport, but now I’m here with my family. Thank you, God bless you, and I will be back,” he said.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ralph Wilson Dies, What’s Next for the Bills?

    Buffalo Bills owner and American Football League co-founder Ralph Wilson passed away yesterday. Along with mourning his death, football fans, coaches, and players are now wondering, what’s next for the Bills?

    Wilson was the sole owner of the team, and upon passing, leaves behind a huge estate, including a football team that is worth around $870 million. Since Wilson had been tight-lipped about what his intentions were for the franchise, the public is not sure if the team will be passed on to Wilson’s family, sold, or something between the two.

    Russ Brandon, an executive who has been serving as the Bills’ owner since Wilson had been too sick to carry out the duties, will likely play a major role in facilitating what will happen to the NFL team.

    Word is that local groups are interested in the team, as well as billionaires and entities such as Rogers Communications and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment in Canada.

    This could mean the Bills will no longer reside in Western New York, if the new owners decide to relocate the team.

    It seems as though no one will know anything for sure, however, until the matter of estate taxes is resolved. If Wilson did nothing to reduce the amount of estate taxes he would owe after his death, his family could be left paying hundreds of millions of dollars to the state and federal government. If he left the team to his wife, however, his estate would pay nothing due to a marital exemption that protects the estate until his wife’s passing.

    Until the beneficiaries are named, along with Wilson’s intentions for the team, the future of the Bills remains in the air.

    Image via Buffalo Bills, Twitter

  • Ralph Wilson, Owner Of The Buffalo Bills, Passes Away At 95

    American Football League co-founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, Ralph Wilson, died in his home on Tuesday.

    The official announcement was made by Russ Brandon, the Buffalo Bills’ president, during the yearly National Football League owners’ meeting held in Orlando, Florida. Wilson said that when he died, he wanted his co-owners to learn of the news first. The group observed a moment of silence after the announcement was made.

    At 95 years old, Wilson was the oldest team owner in the National Football League. He also held the record for the longest tenure at 54 years. In 2009, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    Wilson died at about 1:40 p.m. in his Grosse Pointe Shores home in Michigan where he had been getting home hospice care.

    After learning of Wilson’s passing, Brandon said that the death is tough for him to handle. “I worked for him for 18 years and talked to him every day for 18 years – sometimes multiple times a day.”

    Before his death, Wilson said that his family had no interest in running the Buffalo Bills after he dies, and that the team will be sold. In a statement, Brandon said that they are in a midst of tremendous loss, and plans regarding the team’s ownership will be discussed in the near future.

    Many of the members of Buffalo Bills paid their respects to Wilson.

    C.J. Spiller, the team’s running back said that Wilson was a great leader. “I will not let you down, Mr. Wilson. May God be with you and your family always,” he said.

    Stevie Johnson, the team’s wide receiver, expressed his grief through Twitter saying that he is forever indebted to Wilson for everything he has done for his family.

    Marv Levy, Buffalo Bills’ Hall of Famer coach, said, “He wasn’t my boss, he was my friend.”

    Wilson is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters named Edith and Christy.

    NFL owners reflect on Ralph Wilson

    Image via YouTube

  • Bon Jovi Is Interested In Buying The Buffalo Bills

    Another musician is interested in owning a sports team. This time, it is aging rocker Bon Jovi, who is somehow managing to continue touring, and making a success out of a career that seemed to have ended years ago. Bon Jovi is interested in the Buffalo Bills, a team that is not far off from his home state of New Jersey.

    The Buffalo Bills certainly need something in order to turn around their franchise, but it is hard to know if an ownership by Bon Jovi would be the answer. It would be an interesting business decision for Bon Jovi certainly, who has spent his career making money off of his music, while also being involved with the NFL in various ways over the years.

    They have been struggling for several years now, and their rookie quarterback EJ Manuel was helping at first, but he is just not good enough to carry the team on his own. The Bills are currently 4-7, but Bon Jovi is not hurting for money by any means, and came in at third in the highest earning musical acts of the year from Forbes Magazine, earning $79 million.

    Bon Jovi is no stranger to the sport of football, and in fact, he was a primary owner and the founder of an Arena Football League team. The rock and roll star been very proactive in meeting NFL owners and general managers, and is seeking their input on all sort of issues related to football. He is aiming to become a primary owner of the team, but it remains to be seen if he has the type of immense capital necessary to meet that threshold of ownership.

    The Bills will be in the market for a new owner soon when Ralph Wilson, the current owner, who is 95-years-old, passes away. He has been the owner of the team since 1960, when it was created.

    Becoming the owner of a sports team has been a business venture for a variety of celebrities over the years, and recently hip hop artist Diddy also came out and said that he wanted to be owner of an NFL team, although he did not clarify which one. One of the other biggest business people in the sports industry to gain attention is Mark Cuban of course, who owns the Dallas Mavericks.

    Jon Bon Jovi is certainly no stranger to the sport, and has been a long time friend of Bill Belichick’s, attending several of the Patriots’ games. While he does not need the extra money, owning the team is a business venture that Bon Jovi seems to be set on, and may go through with the decision soon.

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  • Jon Bon Jovi Interested in Buying Buffalo Bills

    Jon Bon Jovi has expressed interest in buying the Buffalo Bills. The team will officially go on the market once owner Ralph Wilson passes away–and although some believe the Rogers Communications group in Toronto is the prime suitor thus far, Bon Jovi has spent a lot of time in the area, getting to know politicians and bigwigs.

    Ralph Wilson, who is 95 years old and wheelchair bound, is said to be in decent health, although he hasn’t attended a game in more than a year. His family has said they will definitely sell the team when he passes away. Roger Communications is an ‘international media monster’ that is worth millions of dollars. Can Jon Bon Jovi possibly have what it takes to outbid the wealthy corporation?

    The rock star has spent a great deal of time befriending both NFL owners and their general managers. He has sought their input on many football related issues. He was almost a part owner of the Falcons but is far more intent now upon becoming a principal owner. That, however, requires immense capital–which he is working actively to raise.

    How perfect would this be? When Jon Bon Jovi decides to retire his spot on rock concert stages and in the recording studio, he will then be set for the next phase of his life as the owner of a football team. Twitter followers are definitely interested in this notion.

    The current owner of the Buffalo Bills has said recently that he wants to keep the franchise located in Buffalo. It’s uncertain whether that would be part of Jon Bon Jovi’s plans or not. A call to his rep on behalf on the Buffalo News remains unanswered.

    Some folks in Buffalo think the rock star is simply Livin’ On A Prayer. But they–as well as any other naysayers–shouldn’t underestimate what Jon Bon Jovi can do. Just ask people in New Jersey. They will likely say he accomplishes just about everything he sets his mind to.

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  • Kansas City Chiefs Remain Unbeaten With Another Win

    The Kansas City Chiefs were possibly one of the last teams that most fans and analysts expected to see in this position, over halfway through the season. A team that has struggled in recent years has found new life with their quarterback Alex Smith, and after today, has a record of 9-0.

    Their latest win came with a week 9 defeat of the Buffalo Bills. The final score ended with the Chiefs winning 23-13, in a game that they trailed in early on, giving fans a scare. With the win, the Chiefs remain undefeated, and are the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL. It also matches their best start in franchise history, which was set in 2003.

    This victory also marks the ninth straight games that the Kansas City Chiefs have held their opponents to 17 points or fewer, which matches an NFL record that was set by the Atlanta Falcons in 1977. Chiefs coach Andy Reid is also in his first year as their head coach after leaving Philadelphia, and has completely turned around the franchise as they went from worst last year, to being first this year.

    The franchise suffered an abysmal record of 2-14 last season. The addition of Alex Smith, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year, is also a great help to the team.

    The Chiefs were beat in almost every offensive category, but the errors that the Bills committed were simply too much to overcome in the end, and the defense of the Chiefs got to them. It is of course difficult for the Bills to try to compete after their quarterbacks are continually getting injured, and in today’s game they were forced to play Jeff Tuell, the fourth-string player.

    If it were not for the amazing showmanship of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense, they would not have been able to win this game. The offense continued to struggle throughout, and by the end of the game Alex Smith only completed 19 of 29 passes for 124 yards, and Jamaal Charles was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time all season.

    The Kansas City Chiefs won an important game, and will carry the momentum with them into the bye week, as the prepare to face off against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on November 17, in what will surely be one of the better games of the season to watch.

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