Welcome to Thursday Screencaps, but this isn’t just another Thursday. This morning, I’m coming to you from suburban Buffalo where I’m holed up in a condo pumping out this edition before hopping in the car and heading down to Highmark Stadium for tonight’s historic Bills home opener.
Last night was all about getting our bearings straight, so we went to Big Tree Inn, the legendary Bills bar just down the street from Highmark where we bellied up to the bar to talk to some old salty dawgs who’d seen a few things over the years.
One of those guys, Scott in Arizona, told me tales of his past adventures. He swears there was a time back in the late 90s or early 2000s when he watched a visiting quarterback take a woman upstairs at Big Tree Inn. As Scott tells the story, on his way back down, the visiting QB fell down the stairs and ended up on the following week’s injury report. He told me the name, but I can’t report such things. All I can say is that it was a BIG name.
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Were the wings any good at Big Tree Inn? Not really, but I wasn’t there for the wings. I was there to feel the energy. I was there to hear from these fans who’ve been in the trenches and have felt the heartache and have lived through snowy Sundays when it looked like this franchise might leave Buffalo.
Tonight, that all changes with the introduction of the new spaceship stadium that rises from the earth, unlike Ralph Wilson that sat down in a bowl.
Are Bills fans really ready for amenities? Aren’t they going to miss the blue collar Ralph Wilson Stadium? When I asked Scott in Arizona that question, you could see the apprehension on his face.
I’m furious we missed this press conference, but I had no idea it was going on. I’m not even interested in forming an opinion one way or the other on if OJ should have a spot in the team’s walk of fame, but you’re damn right I want to have a camera on a lady making a strong case for OJ based on his on-field accomplishments.
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Now, let’s keep in mind that the area where this walk of fame is located is called the “Family Circle.” I think we can all agree, even ignoring the whole double murder thing, is that OJ wasn’t exactly the best family man. Maybe you honor his legacy with the team in a different place inside the stadium.
The locals believe the team is getting a baby bison mascot and the baby bison will be put into this cage before tonight’s game. That’s what they say. As your boots on the ground, we’ll go take a look later today.
• Scott in Arizona said the airport was out of rental cars with 100 reservations going unfilled on Wednesday.
• The hotel scene here is terrible. But…this Airbnb in Williamsville that we’re staying in for $300 per night is amazing. Brand new. Walked in and the AC was set at 68. Great shower pressure. This sure beats roughing it at some Red Roof Inn off I-90.
• The local brewery here in Williamsville was PACKED last night at 8 p.m. A buddy of mine stopped by for a drink last night and said it’s because in about 6-7 weeks, the locals are buried in snow, so they have to enjoy the weather before it’s too late.
• The local news didn’t cover a single piece of non-Bills news for 90 minutes this morning. There was even a segment on local elementary kids who wrote and sang a song about the Lions losing tonight.
• Kostas revealed to me last night that this will be the very first legitimate football game he’s worked in his career. Just five years out of college, he’s getting an assignment that grown men would die for. I’ll give him credit, he seems to understand how fortunate he is for what he’s about to experience.
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– Charles K. writes: Looks like you are in Buffalo? Hope to see you break a folding table or two tonight?
Kinsey: I’ll be leaving that to the pros. I cannot leave the tailgate areas until I see someone jump off a bus and destroy a table. That’s my goal today.
– Kevin in Naples, FL has a message for Cathy: When it comes to Cathy the Abdul El-Sayed fan girl, has she ever heard of Sharia Law?
Well Cath, let me fill you in on what this means to women. Under Sharia Law, Cathy flushes all her freedom down the toilet. Abdul is pro Sharia Law.
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Women are closely monitored, have guardians, are required to seek permission to marry or travel. Women are required to cover themselves up and wear head dresses. In some countries they can’t drive or go to school.
That’s YOUR candidate Cathy. I know he’s appealing because he is well spoken and articulates nice meaningless platitudes. He’s also not the Fat Orange Meanie that you hate so much, but FFS try doing some independent research.
– Kevin in Gibsonia writes: If you want real chicken wings, go to Duff’s on the corner of Sheridan and Millersport in Amherst. Hot, medium or mild is the only way to order real wings. If you want garlic parm cinnamon sweet chili teriyaki, go someplace else. Enjoy the stadium, it is awesome. I’m sure the mafia will put on quite the tailgate show for you.
Kinsey: I was told by a local that Duff’s is trash.
– Brent P. in Indiana says: CB needs to contribute more often. Hysterical addition to the column!
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And with that, I’m off to experience something that has been on my bucket list my entire Internet career. I’m kicking myself for missing out on a true Ralph Wilson experience, but something tells me even though Ralph Wilson is gone, the spirit of these fans remains unchanged. They’re ready to slam beers and have fun. You can see it on their faces.
Let’s go have a great day.
