Table of Contents

Buffalo Bills

Founding Year

The Buffalo Bills were established in 1960 as part of the American Football League (AFL), joining the NFL with the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.1)

Team Name Origin

The name “Bills” was chosen through a naming contest in honor of Buffalo Bill Cody, the famous frontiersman and showman.2)

First Championship Wins

The Bills won back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965 before the AFL-NFL merger.3)

No Super Bowl Wins (Yet)

The Bills are one of the few teams with four consecutive Super Bowl appearances (1990–1993) but have yet to win a Super Bowl.4)

"Wide Right"

In Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants, kicker Scott Norwood’s 47-yard field goal attempt went “wide right,” and the Bills lost 20–19, one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history.5)

Only New York Team

Although both the New York Jets and New York Giants play in New Jersey, the Bills are the only team that plays in New York State.6)

Jim Kelly

Quarterback Jim Kelly is one of the Bills' most iconic players and led the team to four consecutive Super Bowls.7)

Bruce Smith

Defensive end Bruce Smith holds the NFL record for most career sacks with 200 and is a Hall of Famer who spent most of his career with Buffalo.8)

Thurman Thomas

Running back Thurman Thomas was a key player during the Super Bowl runs and was the NFL MVP in 1991.9)

The Comeback Game

The Bills overcame a 32-point deficit in a 1993 playoff game against the Houston Oilers, winning 41-38 in overtime—still the largest comeback in NFL history.10)

Ralph Wilson Stadium

Originally named Rich Stadium, their home stadium was renamed Ralph Wilson Stadium in honor of the team's founding owner, Ralph Wilson Jr.11)

Bills Mafia

The Bills’ fanbase is famously known as the Bills Mafia—a term that became popular through social media and symbolizes the fans' fierce loyalty.12)

Table Smashing Tradition

Bills Mafia fans are known for jumping onto folding tables at tailgates, a unique and wild tradition.13)

Snow Games

The Bills have played in some of the snowiest games in NFL history, including the 2017 “Snow Bowl” against the Indianapolis Colts.14)

O.J. Simpson

Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson played for the Bills and was the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season in 1973.15)

Stadium with No Dome

The Bills’ stadium is one of the few in the NFL that doesn’t have a dome, exposing both players and fans to harsh winter weather.16)

Andre Reed

Wide receiver Andre Reed is one of the top receivers in Bills history and was part of all four Super Bowl runs in the 1990s.17)

Buffalo’s Lake Effect

Buffalo’s location near Lake Erie makes for intense “lake effect” snow storms, sometimes during games.18)

First AFL-NFL Merger Game

The Bills played in the first AFL-NFL merger game against the Jets on September 20, 1970.19)

Longest Active Playoff Drought (Ended)

The Bills had the longest playoff drought in major U.S. sports history, lasting from 2000 to 2017.20)

Color Rush

The Bills’ Color Rush uniforms, introduced in 2015, feature an all-red look, which became a fan favorite.21)

Kelly Tough Foundation

Jim Kelly founded the Kelly Tough Foundation to support cancer patients, as he himself battled cancer after retiring.22)

LeSean McCoy’s Success

Running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy was a star player in the late 2010s and led the team to two playoff appearances.23)

Only Back-to-Back AFL Champions

The Bills are the only team to win back-to-back AFL titles before the NFL merger.24)

Key Rivalries

The Bills have fierce rivalries with AFC East teams, especially the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.25)

New Ownership

Terry and Kim Pegula bought the Bills in 2014, ensuring the team stayed in Buffalo when rumors circulated about a possible move.26)

New Era Cap Company

Based in Buffalo, New Era is the NFL's official cap provider and a local company associated with the team.27)

All-Blue and All-Red

The Bills’ uniforms are some of the few in the NFL to use both an all-blue and all-red option for Color Rush games.28)

First NFL Team in Toronto

The Bills played one regular-season game a year in Toronto, Canada, from 2008 to 2013 to grow their fanbase.29)

First Female Coach

The Bills hired Kathryn Smith in 2016 as a special teams quality control coach, making her the first full-time female coach in NFL history.30)