Bills Owner Terry Pegula Thanks Fans For Snowy Wild Card Turnout
Let it snow, even if the Buffalo Bills have places to go.
A Western New York whiteout gave way to a red and blue stampede on Monday evening, as the Bills handled business with a 31-17 final against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoffs.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SPORTS
With fans braving extreme winter weather to take in the win, Bills owner Terry Pegula made sure a verbal game ball made it to the Buffalo faithful.
"I know the stadium conditions weren't the best because of the storm, but the playful attitude and energy you brought yesterday was electric and memorable," Pegula wrote in a statement posted on the Bills' social media channels. "I'll never forget your snow celebrations during the game and after our touchdowns."
"Thank you, Bills Mafia for being a class act. See you on Sunday night."
The postseason showdown was moved from Sunday afternoon to Monday after blizzards in the Buffalo area prevented fans and personnel from making it to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. By the time kickoff rolled around, the field was clear but the stadium's seating areas were still packed with snow, forcing some to literally shovel their way into the bleachers.
All that and more didn't prevent Bills Mafia from showing up, as a reported 70,040 watched Buffalo (12-6) withstand a challenge from the surprisingly spry seventh-seeded Steelers. Buffalo touchdowns were heralded by fans throwing snow into the air in celebration of the team winning at least one playoff game for the fourth consecutive season.
The Bills' quest for an AFC title resumes on Sunday evening when the No.3-seeded Kansas City Chiefs visit for a Divisional clash (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS). While more snow isn't expected that night, temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 17 degrees at night, setting up another icy showdown. That likely won't matter to Kansas City, which dealt with freezing conditions of its own during the Wild Card victory over Miami at Arrowhead Stadium.
