Tim Graham, AFC East blogger for ESPN and former reporter for the Buffalo News gave his take on the fans of Buffalo and about the McKelvin vandalizing.
“As someone who has covered sports in Buffalo for almost a decade and is moving back to the area because of the people, I can state that Bills fans are some of the most respectful and passionate supporters I’ve ever encountered.
This is a region that chanted “We love Scott! We love Scott!” the day after Scott Norwood missed the field goal that would have won the Super Bowl.
“I’ve got to tell you right now that we’re struggling with this right now,” Norwood said, fighting through tears at City Hall in January 1991. “I know I’ve never felt more loved than this right now.
“We all realize the sun’s going to come up tomorrow.”
But whoever perpetrated the sophomoric crime probably was stupid enough to brag about it. Here’s hoping they get caught and receive the best punishment I can think of: having their pictures put on television so they can be humiliated in a very public way. Maybe then they’ll understand what it’s like to make a mistake on national television. As for the rest of Buffalo’s fans, I have faith in them.”
Well put. I do think though the biggest question to ask is what’s the real difference between McKelvin and Norwood. Now of course one guy cost the Super Bowl, and the other cost a regular season game. But the two situations represent the times, as in fans take sports more seriously than 20 years ago when Norwood missed that kick. I bet dollars to donuts that if the same situation with Norwood happened today in Buffalo, they would be cheering for his name alright, as in kill! kill! The rally that was held with Norwood crying makes me a bit teary eye when thinking about the fans in Buffalo, because that will never be done ever again. Society and the media now deem any sort of failure as a death sentence in sports.
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