Archives for March 2009

‘Buffalo does not have a preseason game in Toronto this summer. The five-year Toronto series includes a preseason game every other year. The Bills played Pittsburgh in the Rogers Centre last summer and will play another preseason game in Toronto in 2010.’

‘Brian Cushing might not appear to be the same kind of hard-nosed player on the surface as some of the aforementioned Bills greats, but the Southern Cal linebacker and New Jersey native has a work ethic that’s tough to match. “You can ask anyone I know, I’m the hardest working guy on the team,” said Cushing confidently.’

‘As our organization prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Football League and our franchise, we are sad today that Lou Saban will not be here to share it with us. But his spirit will be remembered long after the celebration is over.’

‘Sure, the national publicity is nice, but don’t you get the feeling that the rest of the league is laughing at us about now? Be careful what you ask for.’

‘Saban was a Chinese language interpreter for the Army in World War II. According to Pat Toomay, a defensive end for the Bills in 1975, Saban once gave a halftime speech in Chinese. “We went out and won,” Toomay said.’

‘As unpleasant as it may be, contemplating a person’s eventual demise is not personal as long as business is involved; it’s no more morbid than parents discussing purchasing life insurance. The fact remains that Wilson was born Oct. 17, 1918, or about a week after World War I ended. There have been 17 presidents in the owner’s lifetime, and everyone with any interest in the Bills’ future has to sadly, naturally wonder what happens after the conclusion of his trip through history.’

‘Wilson thought Saban quit on him twice and remained bitter about it to Saban’s dying day.’

‘Saban alienated Bills Owner Ralph Wilson Jr. by quitting twice and he has never been added to the team’s Wall of Fame.’

‘Saban’s coaching career also included stints at numerous colleges, Northwestern, Western Illinois, Maryland, Miami, Army and Central Florida.’

‘"He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life. Lou was tough and disciplined, and he earned all the respect and recognition that came his way. He spent a lifetime leading, teaching and inspiring, and took great satisfaction in making the lives around him better."’

‘Saban died around 4 a.m. Sunday at his home, his wife, Joyce, said. He had heart problems for years and recently suffered a fall that required hospitalization, she said.’

‘Professionally, Saban was the original coach of the American Football League’s Boston (now New England) Patriots. He later coached the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. After the AFL merged with the NFL, he returned to Buffalo for five years from 1972 to 1976.’

‘Since 2009 marks the 50th season of the Buffalo Bills, the breakfast celebrated the milestone with a forum of players representing each decade of the Bills history. NFL Hall of Famers Billy Shaw, Joe DeLamielleure and Jim Kelly represented the 1960s, ’70s and ’90s respectively. Jerry Butler represented the 1980s and Brad Butler the current Bills teams. The group traded stories about team owner Ralph Wilson, reminisced about the Super Bowl years and imparted advice and wisdom to youngsters in the audience. “There will be times when things will not go the way you want them to go. It’s what you do about it that counts,” Kelly said.’

‘There is little doubt Thomas is going to win the vote, and I have no big problem with it. My vote, however, was cast for Simpson, because I think he was a greater pure talent. He was bigger, faster and more explosive. Simpson was part of the Southern California track relay team that set the world record in the 4×100 event. That’s the kind of world-class speed he possessed.’