Introduction to Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are an American professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. The team is part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division in the National Football League (NFL). Since its establishment in 1959, the Bills have exhibited remarkable performance in the league. However, beyond their field performance, the Bills have also gained popularity due to their passionate fan base, known as Bills Mafia. This article aims to explore the history, team structure, and achievements of the Buffalo Bills, along with some statistics and relevant facts.
Establishment and Early Days
The Buffalo Bills were established in 1959. They became a part of the American Football League (AFL) the next year in 1960, one of the eight teams in the league. The founding father of the Bills was Ralph C. Wilson, a Detroit businessman, who owned the team until his death in 2014. From that point on, the Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of a few sports ventures in New York, including the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League, own the team.
Journey Through the Decades
The Bills had a successful run in the early 60s, winning back-to-back AFL titles in 1964 and 1965. With quarterback Jack Kemp and a brutal defense led by Tom Sestak, they managed to post winning records every year from 1963 to 1966.
However, the Bills struggled through the late 60s and 70s, failing to make the playoffs. The 80s saw some improvement, marked by the hiring of Marv Levy as head coach in 1986 and the drafting of future Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly.
The pinnacle of the Buffalo Bills’ performance came in the early 1990s. They experienced a successful streak between 1990 and 1993, reaching the Super Bowl four times consecutively, but unfortunately, they lost on each occasion.
The 21st Century Teams
The dawn of the new millennium marked a challenging period for the Bills. That period saw them struggling to repost their past successes. Despite their efforts and numerous changes in the team structure, the Bills did not make the playoffs from 2000 until 2017. They experienced the longest playoff drought in all professional American sports during that era.
However, a resurgence was noted in recent years. In 2017, under the leadership of head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, the Bills finally ended their 17-year playoff drought. This marked the beginning of a renaissance era for the team.
Achievements of the Buffalo Bills
Despite their Super Bowl losses, the Buffalo Bills are still one of the most successful teams in NFL history. They have won four conference titles, as well as 11 division titles. They also boast ten playoff appearances in the last 20 years. The team has also produced a number of Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including Jim Kelly, O.J. Simpson, Bruce Smith, and Thurman Thomas.
Notes
Image Description
The image shows the Buffalo Bills’ players during a game at the Highmark Stadium. There is a sea of blue in the stands as the Bills Mafia cheer passionately for their team. The photograph captures an exciting moment and epitomizes the fervor of NFL games.