Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the year the team won the American Football League championship in 1964 with fundraising events planned on opening weekend of the NFL season. These funds raised will go toward helping local charities in the area.
A number of former Bills players stood outside the Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion on Wednesday, the site of the old Buffalo War Memorial Stadium, to announce the lineup of events.
"This year's Buffalo Bills Alumni weekend will take place Friday, Sept. 6 with the VIP Gala at Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, followed by the Ralph C. Wilson Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 8 with the Bills' home opener, where they will, of course, defeat the [Arizona] Cardinals in Highmark Stadium," announced David White, former Bills linebacker and president of the Alumni Foundation.
The gala will include an open bar, a buffet, live and silent auction and a chance to meet and talk with some of the Bills veterans. There's also the chance to bid on the silent auction items now at galabid.com/bills2024 .
"A lot of the guys are '64 and '65 aren't around, but you have an opportunity to get those guys that are and then many, many other other players will be at our event at the Seneca Niagara Casino Event Center and on Saturday at the the Hickory Stick Golf Course, so come on out join us," said Lou Piccone, former wide receiver and kick returner for the Bills.
"We do need your help. We need corporate sponsors, we need players and we need fans to come on out support us."
Since the foundation was established in 1998, it has raised $3 million for charitable causes.
Visit BBFAevents.com for ticket pricing and more information.
WBEN also got a chance to ask a few of the Bills alums what they think of the news stadium currently being built adjacent to the current facility along Abbott Road.
"It's a good looking place, but I'd love to see a top on it," chuckled Wilmer Fowler, who played running back for the Bills all the way back in 1960 and 1961. "We have some tough winters out here in Buffalo, and those winters affect our game. I'd like to see a top on that stadium."
Although Fowler may not be serious about wanting a stadium with a roof, the new stadium is designed so that about 65% of seats would be protected from the elements.
"I'm very excited," said Bob Dugan, former Bills tackle and Buffalo native drafted in 1964. "It's not going to be totally enclosed, but that's a very good compromise. At least some of the stadium will be covered against rain, against snow, against whatever, makes playing at home that much easier, and I think it's a real upgrade."
Duggan also notes the stadium won't fit as many people, but the seating spacing should give attendees more elbow room.
"It's coming along. I'm extremely excited about it, a new state-of-the-art stadium, something that we can brag about and not hear so much about 'Jerry World' (AT&T Stadium in Dallas) and some of the other stadiums," noted White.
"I'm looking forward to it. The construction is slow but steady, really looking forward to it here in a couple of years. I'm hoping we don't lose our advantage, that weather is still an advantage for us, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with with in this new stadium."
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