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)
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Eight players and executives who spent time with the Bills are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.31)
Electric Return Game
The Bills have had excellent return specialists, including Terrence McGee, who holds several team records for kickoff return yards.32)
1980s “Bickering Bills”
The team’s late-1980s nickname referred to locker room arguments that happened during rebuilding years before their Super Bowl runs.33)
Sam Wyche’s Challenge
In 1989, head coach Sam Wyche of the Bengals challenged Bills fans over crowd noise, leading to a league-wide rule change about crowd control.34)
Longest Kick Return
In 2004, Terrence McGee returned a kick 104 yards for a touchdown, setting a franchise record.35)
Special Teams Legacy
Kicker Steve Christie and punter Brian Moorman were standouts, with Christie holding the record for the longest Super Bowl field goal.36)
Frank Reich, Legendary Backup
Known for “The Comeback,” Frank Reich was one of the NFL’s top backup quarterbacks and became a successful NFL coach.37)
20 Years Without a Stadium Name Sponsor
The Bills went two decades without a corporate stadium sponsor before Highmark took on naming rights in 2021.38)
The Rockpile
The Bills originally played at War Memorial Stadium, known as “The Rockpile,” which had limited seating and tough conditions.39)
Fan Love of Zubaz Pants
Bills fans are known for wearing Zubaz pants, a brightly colored style that became popular in the 1990s and is still a fan favorite.40)
Bills Mafia Charitable Efforts
Bills fans have a reputation for giving back, including donating over $1 million to Lamar Jackson’s charity after a playoff game.41)
Longest Field Goal
The record for the longest field goal in Bills history is 59 yards, set by Stephen Hauschka in 2017.42)
Most Career Passing Yards
Jim Kelly holds the record for most career passing yards by a Bills quarterback, with 35,467 yards.43)
Marv Levy
Marv Levy was the Bills’ head coach during their four Super Bowl appearances and is one of the longest-tenured coaches in franchise history.44)
Signature Shout Song
The Bills’ victory song is a version of “Shout” by the Isley Brothers, which fans sing after every touchdown and victory.45)