Students, teachers, medical staff and patients were able to experience a little of Bill’s spirit on Wednesday.
BUFFALO, NY — Four days out and the excitement building for the Buffalo Bills’ divisional round matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bill’s mafia are notorious for lining up outside Highmark Stadium, but when it comes to setting the mood ahead of matchday, a mobile rally hosted by M&T Bank on Wednesday was a solution.
Rather than staying in one place and letting fans come to them, M&T employees, Billy Buffalo, former Bills running back Fred Jackson, and the Bills Stampede drumline traveled to fans across town.
They made three spots as they rode aboard a decorated coach with the words “Bill-lieve” and “Play-ay-ay-offs” on the side, and visited students and teachers at Westminster Community Charter School, patients and medical staff at Oishei Children’s Hospital and finally the William-Emslie YMCA.
“We had our first experience of that last year in the playoffs and when we found out they were coming back we were so excited,” said assistant principal Corey Wilson, adding that every Monday after a Bills win, the school used the “Shout.” ” plays song.”
Students and teachers danced, took photos with Billy Buffalo and Fred Jackson, and overall said they appreciated the opportunity to celebrate their team.
“Football brings us together as a community and the western New York community, the Buffalo Bills, the M&T Bank, who really come together and build our community by being there for one another and creating positivity through so many of the challenges we’ve been through, that’s what really matters,” said Eric Feldstein, WNY Regional President of M&T Bank.
The bus’s next stop was Oishei Children’s Hospital, where children’s specialist Deb King said children and medical staff also used the mobile rally as an opportunity to escape (for a minute) the reality of hospital life and smile.
The Buffalo Balloon Company provided a truck filled with Bills’ colored balloons so nurses and other staff could take pictures with Fred Jackson. The Bills Stampede and some new team swags also made the trip enjoyable.
“A big part of a kid’s life is distraction and taking the kids away from the hospital, so we’re just so glad that M&T and the hospital are working together,” King said.
She added that the trip was also very special for young patients, who were able to meet Billy Buffalo in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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