Katherine Chloé Cahoon

For this story, I interviewed three Bills’ fans from three different countries.  Altogether, they traveled a total of nearly 40 hours to meet up in Los Angeles and cheer on their favorite team as they suit-up against the Rams this Sunday. Such dedication is typical of these football devotees known as the “Bills Mafia.” Since 2005, one of these superfans has traveled a total of 184,929 miles to watch the Bills in person.  

Beginning in 2019, I started reporting on Bills fanfare for television news. Since then, I have marveled at the enthusiasm of these football aficionados. Many fans wake up well before the sun rises, between the early hours of 2 and 4 a.m., to prepare their tailgating food, pick out their good luck jerseys and paint their faces in the team’s red, white, and blue colors. Despite sleep deprivation and, at times, inclement weather, the enthusiasm of Bills’ fans never wanes. Every moment spent covering Bills tailgating parties is exciting!

Each story has been unique. Once I reported on how the world-renowned Bills Mafia formed.

Some of my stories have featured families who started supporting the Bills in 1959, when the team formed. Even when Halloween fell on game day, fans found creative ways to combine their costumes with jerseys.

When the pandemic hit and fans could not attend games in person, they formed traditions at home. For example, I covered a story about one grandmother who welcomed three generations into her living room each game day. Following social distancing guidelines, each relative sat six feet apart. Sometimes, the group had to spill out into the kitchen to make that possible. There, the grandmother provided a second television. Everyone wore masks, except while eating. They cheered for the Bills just as exuberantly at home as when they could attend games in the stadium.  

I am so grateful that covering Bills fanfare has been one of my news reporting beats.