Miami Dolphins: How much do I really hate the Buffalo Bills?

Miami Dolphins: How much do I really hate the Buffalo Bills?

Something wasn’t the same, though.

As a kid, I was just taught to hate them. There was no explanation. They were our division rivals, and that was that. I knew nothing about any history, culture, or the fan base of the Bills, and why would I? I was a kid.

But I learned about them as I grew. First, it was that they had passionate fans. I remember them screaming at and taunting Bryan Cox in the 90s, and saw them jumping through tables and braving some of the harshest weather the country has to offer in the 2000s. And it didn’t matter that they hadn’t been to the playoffs in what seemed like forever. Even if the Bills were 3-10 and the weather featured snow and 25MPH winds, the fans were always packed in to that stadium. I always respected that.

They had a different relationship with their team than other franchises, too. Being from a small town myself, I grew to appreciate the intimate connection that was shared between player and fan. I understood that a person may dread missing out on big city life, but be blown away by how much a tight-knit community can make you feel right at home. Just listen to Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen, or what Jim Kelly had to say about his experience.

But the thing that blew me away the most about the Bills fan base was their giving spirit and generosity. They are famous for their charitable donations, and if you want to hear an amazing story, Google something along the lines of “Andy Dalton Bills Mafia Playoffs”.  No matter how much smack they talked on Twitter and social media, it was hard not to respect the fan base as a whole.

So while I still felt that seething hatred during and after that Week 15 game, I had an odd feeling of reverence and regard for the Bills and Bills Mafia. Don’t tell my dad.