Being a Bills fan isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. It takes a certain kind of person to handle what not only the Bills, but all Buffalo sports teams will do to a persons heart. They can’t just be flat out bad. Every year, they’ll show a flash of brilliance that makes one think… “This could be it. We could finally do it this season”. It’s that eternal optimism which most Bills fan possess that can destroy your belief in all man kind.

But we push on. Most of us to an extreme. I’ve been to several NFL cities for football games, and the only fans that come close to our dedication us are Philly, Cleveland, and Kansas City (I’ve never been to Oakland, but they look hardcore from a distance). We love our team no matter what. The Bills sell out games in December, when its sleeting in 25 degree weather, and the team is 4 - 11.

The Bills are a family team. Loyalty is pushed down through generations. That’s how I became a Bills fan. My dad started taking me to games when I was four years old. I haven’t missed many since. I know that the majority of Buffalo fans are the same way. And we all have our stories to tell, and our Bills memorabilia to show off. That why, for the next two weeks, we are going to run the Buffalowdown Fanatic contest, sharing the best Bills stories, and showing off the craziest Bills items that you may have lying around your house. I think I have everyone beat, and that’s why I’m running this contest. Send your Bills stories and pics of your rare Bills items over the next two weeks, and we will choose the biggest Bills Fanatic. The prize (it’s a good one) will be announced Monday, and the contest will end may 31^st. Lets see if you can top this:

For those of you who don’t know, I make my living touring the country as a stand up comic. This gives me an opportunity to work my schedule out so I can see the Bills play a few away games each season. Here’s me in Miami and Cleveland (the crazy snow game) last season. My family also has season tickets. We first got them in 1988 (when they were $15.00 a ticket) and have ridden the highs and the lows ever since.

The best thing about being a Bills fan in the early 90’s was how accessible the players were. After the game, most of the team would come out to the parking lot’s motor home section to visit their families, and take pictures with fans. They were always great about taking time to make a kids day ( that’s Will Wolford holing a six year old me.)

I’m often the butt of jokes among my friends due to my obsession over the Bills. Lets start with the jersey collection. There’s twelve of them in that picture, and that’s not all. I have another five or six, but they wouldn’t fit in the frame. When it comes to rare, there are four that I don’t think anyone else has (send pictures if you do).

- Alex Van Pelt authentic jersey. He was the third string QB for ten years, and had a few opportunities to start they year before we signed Drew Bledsoe. I haven’t seen anyone with this jersey ever.

- Jim Kelly authentic 75^th anniversary away jersey. It’s pro cut, and extremely small, and it’s not a Mitchell and Ness. The Jersey is made by champion. It’s un wearable, but still pretty cool with the NFL 75^th anniversary patch, and the Bills 35^th anniversary patch

- Todd Collins replica jersey. I’ve only seen two or three of these ever (not that anyone would wear it anymore). I think they sold them for the 45 minutes it looked like Todd was the Bills QB of the future. But it’s good to see he’s finally on track in Washington.

- Don Beebe authentic Packers jersey. I know it’s not a Bills jersey, but Beebe was a fan favorite in Buffalo, and it was good to see him get a Super Bowl ring in Green Bay. He only played there two years, so I don’t know how many of these they made.

- Jim Kelly Authentic Autographed jersey - My dad took me to meet him when I was 5. He signed this for us. It was the greatest day of my life (I was only 5, gimmie a break)

It’s not just jerseys either my friends. My family has a whole collection of weird and wonderful Bills stuff .(This article took a trip to my parents house with a camera, so I’m writing off the gas money as a business expense). This has to be the weirdest thing we have. They sold it at the stadium in 1989. The story goes that the dolphins threatened a lawsuit, and they pulled it. If anyone else has one, send a Pic. Here is the mini helmet and NFL beanie bear collection (along with the authentic Bills helmet). Two pretty cool mini helmets here and here. This is one of my favorite pieces. It was handed to my dad by Kenneth Davis after he scored a TD during a game sometime in the 75^th anniversary season. My other almost favorite is this (back view here). It’s a piece of the turf at Rich stadium. They replaced it after the second super bowl season, and sold the old turf in key chains (I’ve never seen another one of these. Once again, send pics). Finally, my favorite piece of Buffalo Bills memorabilia… A bottle of unopened champagne from the Bills locker room of Super Bowl XXV. No one remembers how we came across it, but it has to be the coolest thing we own. It has the date, January, 27, 1991, and the words “In celebration of Super Bowl XXV Buffalo Bills vs New York Giants” printed on the label. Had things gone just a tad bit differently, Darryl Talley, or Bruce Smith, or Cornelius Bennett would have been spraying that bottle on each other, celebrating a huge win.

Well that’s what I have for you. I really would like to see if anyone has any more cool stuff. Pictures of you at games (home or away). Rare Bills pieces, Pictures of you with players, coaches, players wives, coaches wives, coaches wives sisters, anything, and we’ll post them along with your story. (It doesn’t even have to be Bills stuff. Any NFL team will do). I want to know that there are more out there like me. I know there are.

- Pat Duffy

*To enter the contest, send stories and Pictures to Buffalowdown@yahoo.com They will be shared throughout the week, with a winner being picked on May 31^st. Last entries due May 30^th. Prize will be announced Monday, May, 26^th. Good Luck.