Hughes doesn't get why Jim Kelly is on the field in 2017

[YoloinOhio]

@mikerodak

Bills DE Jerry Hughes said Monday he does "not understand" why Jim Kelly is on the field before games, adding, "We are the 2017 Buffalo Bills. Were focused on the future. Were focused on winning games. If he wants to offer anything of encouragement to our team, to our quarterbacks, to our offense, please provide all of that. We could use all the encouragement we need to figure out how they won games back in those days and be successful as they were. But were trying to bring a team together, were trying to bring a community together, were trying to bring a nation together. And by dividing us, by dividing the team, that doesnt work."

Edited September 25, 2017 by YoloinOhio

[Woodman19]

Best way to bring people together is to exclude those with a different view.

[Heavy Kevi]

Oh yes, the "he criticized our beliefs and that was wrong, so let me criticize his beliefs" argument.

 

But the statement that he hid that sentiment behind has merit. I have wondered for a while what JK is doing on the sideline, or Ray Lewis in Baltimore, Jim Brown in Cleveland, etc....

[dwight in philly]

not good.. dont like Hughes comment... like hughes.. dont like his BS after the whistle penalties.. best he just STHU.. No room for diversity Jerry?

Edited September 25, 2017 by dwight in philly

[YoloinOhio]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

[CommonCents]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

Keep winning then they can do/say whatever they want.

 

That's why Jim is on the field.

[Big C]

I mean, everyone's opinion about this remark is going to be a reflection of how they feel about the whole kneeling issue.

 

However, to the broader point, it is a little odd that we keep him around like we do. Buffalo is a special, tight community compared to other teams in bigger markets, but he doesn't really have a purpose on our sideline during games.

[Heavy Kevi]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

Makes sense. But fans will cling to our most recent success, and unfortunately for us, our most recent success was a generation ago.

[dwight in philly]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

not blaming the messengerr .. but if true .. thats dumb

Edited September 25, 2017 by dwight in philly

[Big C]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

 

Exactly. Time to forge ahead for the first time in a long time.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Hey if you can score sideline passes for every game

 

Why be somewhere else?

[cba fan]

I mean, everyone's opinion about this remark is going to be a reflection of how they feel about the whole kneeling issue.

 

However, to the broader point, it is a little odd that we keep him around like we do. Buffalo is a special, tight community compared to other teams in bigger markets, but he doesn't really have a purpose on our sideline during games.

Former NFL players are allowed field passes on a first come first serve basis up to the limit home teams allow.

[mjd1001]

I can see his point about wanting Kelly to talk to them before. Agree with it or not, apparently everyone on the team and the coaches talked about what they were going to do, and probably knew who would stand, who wouldn't, ect. If Kelly wasn't in that team meeting, then it might be a suprise to the players if someone else shows up and does something different. It is the opposite of a show of unity that way.

[mike22nc]

As a Bills fan born in the early 80s, obviously I am a big fan of Jimbo. Hughes is right, either you are one of us or you are not. If you are not, please get off of our sideline. That's what I'd expect of a player. They take offense if you criticize them or their teammates.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

There is only way to fix that.

 

Move past the success from those guys and then the topic puts them in the rear view mirror

[Scott7975]

No disrespect to Jim Kelly, but I kind of agree with Hughes. If he is truely helping the team fine, be on the sideline. Encourage. Give tips. Do some leadership stuff. Don't go there for nostalgia purposes. At this point he is just a glorified fan of the team with special privelages because of who he is. Most of the team probably never even seen him play football.

[okbills]

Right or wrong, and in the end, I think Hughes will come to see those comments were very poorly calculated.

Edited September 25, 2017 by okbills

[dwight in philly]

just speaking for old-timers like me.. and essentially for myself.. Hughes should not go there.. i know all the millennials do not get Kelly. and what he means.. but not a place i would trespass on .. JMHO.. and i do not want to exclude the non- millennials. im sure there are Kelly haters.. learned that from another thread..

Edited September 25, 2017 by dwight in philly

[Boatdrinks]

I think the team wants to move past the 90s stars being the face of the franchise

Until someone new does some winning on the field, that's the way it is.

[Augie]

Does Kelly still have some form of an "ambassador" role? He did at one point, right?