When as a fan have you tasted a championship?

[caseydean]

Our horse, Brilliant Ice-- the great grandson of the first racehorse we ever owned-- winning the 2024 Maryland Million Classic.  First and only time for me, but the feeling--being a Bills and Sabres fan-- of utter release and complete joy was simply amazing.  I wept uncontrollably. And I knew finally what it would be like when the Bills win a Super Bowl after trying for so long.

I pray that Buffalo as a city, and we as fans, get that feeling just once with our teams-- it would be fantastic.  And Brill has a 2 y/o unraced little brother named R J's Ice, after the late great RJ.  May he do him proud!!!

[That Aud Smell]

16 hours ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

I agree with the sentiment I think @That Aud Smell was putting out ... 4 "big game" losses plus no goal just kinda ... broke something in me where I now just refuse to let my personal happiness be dictated by a bunch of hired mercenaries doing things in the name of the city I still consider "my city". I get more upset when one of the beer league teams I play on loses in the generally meaningless playoffs than I did Sunday over the Bills. I only stress over what I can control.

I’m glad you got to where you are.

My path definitely involved times of reflection -- as in, “wtf am I doing, getting this upset?” The Fitzpatrick-Bills road loss to the Bengals, of all games, was a watershed moment for me. We had house full of kids and there I was going Bruce Banner —> Hulk. No bueno.

But the real turning points for me have been twofold: (1) a mental health journey that’s involved a commitment to “mindfulness” (a worn-out word, but a real thing) which means I’m learning about how thoughts and feelings work in the human mind and learning how to choose or prefer helpful ones *and* (2) the active, intentional cultivation of gratitude for life’s gifts, rather than a desire for more (more!).

I cried as that game slipped away on Sunday. And then I kept crying for a while. For many reasons. Many of which had little to do with football, per se.

My oldest texted me words of consolation the next day. A little worried about me, I think.

I replied: “It’s okay, kid. This is all gift. And for gifts we are grateful.”

[WhenWillItEnd66]

With the exception of the Bandits (Thank you!!) i am O'fer. I love the Mets but did not become a fan until after they won in. The Bills last championship was the year i was born. I have zero faith i am going to get one before i die.

[ska-T Palmtown]

39 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

I’m glad you got to where you are.

My path definitely involved times of reflection -- as in, “wtf am I doing, getting this upset?” The Fitzpatrick-Bills road loss to the Bengals, of all games, was a watershed moment for me. We had house full of kids and there I was going Bruce Banner —> Hulk. No bueno.

But the real turning points for me have been twofold: (1) a mental health journey that’s involved a commitment to “mindfulness” (a worn-out word, but a real thing) which means I’m learning about how thoughts and feelings work in the human mind and learning how to choose or prefer helpful ones *and* (2) the active, intentional cultivation of gratitude for life’s gifts, rather than a desire for more (more!).

I cried as that game slipped away on Sunday. And then I kept crying for a while. For many reasons. Many of which had little to do with football, per se.

My oldest texted me words of consolation the next day. A little worried about me, I think.

I replied: “It’s okay, kid. This is all gift. And for gifts we are grateful.”

That's really an awesome journey - and in all sincerity, I am happy for you. Mental health is so much more important that most of our society will admit. I did my own work after a deployment and a divorce. And luckily for me, wife #2 is the most emotionally intelligent person to ever come into my life.

I am actually very grateful for the joy and hope the Bills have given me since The Drought ended. Each post-season is a crazy and fun journey and I look forward to going on a dozen more with JA17!

Edited yesterday at 02:40 PM by ska-T Palmtown

[MISabresFan]

 Detroit Tigers

[That Aud Smell]

5 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

That's really an awesome journey - and in all sincerity, I am happy for you. Mental health is so much more important that most of our society will admit. I did my own work after a deployment and a divorce. And luckily for me, wife #2 is the most emotionally intelligent person to ever come into my life.

I am actually very grateful for the joy and hope the Bills have given me since The Drought ended. Each post-season is a crazy and fun journey and I look forward to going on a dozen more with JA17!

I looked around for a heart emoji to use as a reaction, but didn't find one. So, here ya go:

💙💛

(ferda Sabres. This being a Sabres board.)

[That Aud Smell]

6 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

I am actually very grateful for the joy and hope the Bills have given me since The Drought ended. Each post-season is a crazy and fun journey and I look forward to going on a dozen more with JA17!

I think about this all the time. The night the drought ended, we were with a big group of friends in a hotel common area (NYE) going NUTS. It's a "core memory" (yuck, Gen Z cliche') for so many of the kids there with us.

A couple months prior to that, the same group of friends (couples, parents mostly in their early/mid 40s) had been at a funeral for our former ringleader.

The Bills journey since then? Incredible. I've been at the stadium with a family member for nearly all of Josh's heroics and the team's successes. And I was with my Dad at my parents' home for 13 Seconds. May he rest in peace.

I'm just so grateful for all of it.

[Stoner]

27 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

I think about this all the time. The night the drought ended, we were with a big group of friends in a hotel common area (NYE) going NUTS. It's a "core memory" (yuck, Gen Z cliche') for so many of the kids there with us.

A couple months prior to that, the same group of friends (couples, parents mostly in their early/mid 40s) had been at a funeral for our former ringleader.

The Bills journey since then? Incredible. I've been at the stadium with a family member for nearly all of Josh's heroics and the team's successes. And I was with my Dad at my parents' home for 13 Seconds. May he rest in peace.

I'm just so grateful for all of it.

It has been incredible because of the wins, but winning it all is not important to you. How do you draw the line? Is watching 0-16 also a gift?

[Weave]

2 minutes ago, Stoner said:

It has been incredible because of the wins, but winning it all is not important to you. How do you draw the line? Is watching 0-16 also a gift?

I know you directed this a TAS, but I’d like to answer as well.

The Bills drought and the Sabres drought really changed my outlook on sports.  I just want to be entertained.  The more you can entertain me, the more acceptable the losses are.  This loss to the Chiefs doesn’t bother me. Am I disappointed?  Absolutely.  But this team has provided so much entertainment value over the last fews years that I don’t see a point in getting myself all knotted up over that game.  KC has made the entire league look second rate over the last 5 seasons.  Do I wish the Bills could too? Yup.  Am I upset they can’t.  Nope. They got my hopes up and put me on the edge of my seat.  I got my money’s worth.

 

Maybe that’s a low bar.  I’m ok with that.  If only the Sabres could meet that low bar too.

[That Aud Smell]

12 minutes ago, Stoner said:

It has been incredible because of the wins, but winning it all is not important to you. How do you draw the line? Is watching 0-16 also a gift?

This is a really good question. (I posed it to myself when I typed out the stuff upthread.)

I reckon it's art, not science. And it should be a function of personal preference, tolerances.

The current Sabres team? Not a gift. Sh1t. I'm not even watching the games at this point. Although I am going (early!) on Friday to honour Rob Ray.

I think there's some level of excellence -- or some other intangible quality or accomplishment that makes a team compelling -- that's needed to get me in the headspace I've described.

Remember this? (I don't, not firsthand anyway.)

12 minutes ago, Weave said:

The more you can entertain me, the more acceptable the losses are.  This loss to the Chiefs doesn’t bother me. Am I disappointed?  Absolutely.  But this team has provided so much entertainment value over the last fews years that I don’t see a point in getting myself all knotted up over that game.  KC has made the entire league look second rate over the last 5 seasons.  Do I wish the Bills could too? Yup.  Am I upset they can’t.  Nope. They got my hopes up and put me on the edge of my seat.  I got my money’s worth.

 

Maybe that’s a low bar.  I’m ok with that.  If only the Sabres could meet that low bar too.

let the church say "Amen!"

[Stoner]

25 minutes ago, Weave said:

I know you directed this a TAS, but I’d like to answer as well.

The Bills drought and the Sabres drought really changed my outlook on sports.  I just want to be entertained.  The more you can entertain me, the more acceptable the losses are.  This loss to the Chiefs doesn’t bother me. Am I disappointed?  Absolutely.  But this team has provided so much entertainment value over the last fews years that I don’t see a point in getting myself all knotted up over that game.  KC has made the entire league look second rate over the last 5 seasons.  Do I wish the Bills could too? Yup.  Am I upset they can’t.  Nope. They got my hopes up and put me on the edge of my seat.  I got my money’s worth.

 

Maybe that’s a low bar.  I’m ok with that.  If only the Sabres could meet that low bar too.

It's a high bar.

I could go on about all this, but won't (all right, settle down, I WILL clear this courtroom).

Suffice to say I think there are fans who are taking the MetroRail direct to Fan Heaven, they are so loyal and loving and supportive and meak. But ain't none of them live round here.

Meek? OK.

[Weave]

18 minutes ago, Stoner said:

It's a high bar.

I could go on about all this, but won't (all right, settle down, I WILL clear this courtroom).

Suffice to say I think there are fans who are taking the MetroRail direct to Fan Heaven, they are so loyal and loving and supportive and meak. But ain't none of them live round here.

Meek? OK.

I still wear my Sabres attire out and about.  Just last week I was in a local watering hole and a random guy next to me ask, you still wearing that stuff?

Yes, yes I am.  I am still a fan.  I don’t enjoy it enough to watch them right now, but they are still my team.

Stockholm syndrome, maybe?

[Goldseatsaud]

On 1/27/2025 at 10:08 PM, thewookie1 said:

SF Giants 2010, 2012 and 2014 are directly my favorite MLB team however my passion isn't quite what it is for the local teams

The NY Giants Super Bowls versus Brady are my Dad's favorite team winning and the same goes for the Blackhawks so they are both my 2nd favorites

Their my third or sometimes favorite team. Giants winning three I thought I never would see that ever 

[Pimlach]

The last Buffalo Professional Ice Hockey Champions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stoner]

14 minutes ago, Weave said:

I still wear my Sabres attire out and about.  Just last week I was in a local watering hole and a random guy next to me ask, you still wearing that stuff?

Yes, yes I am.  I am still a fan.  I don’t enjoy it enough to watch them right now, but they are still my team.

Stockholm syndrome, maybe?

That logo is everything. It's a nation's flag. I always think about the franchise as the country and the people occupying that franchise as the Congress, the president, the federal government. Those people come and go. There is always hope we can get it right. I'm just trying to survive the Pegula Era. We are one decision by Terry to cash in from having hope again. Fan has earned his immunity.

[Stoner]

5 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

The last Buffalo Professional Ice Hockey Champions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to study the pic to see if I could recognize anyone. Not a soul. Should have gotten Christie. Maybe Shero. Really should have recognized Rick!

[That Aud Smell]

49 minutes ago, Stoner said:

Suffice to say I think there are fans who are taking the MetroRail direct to Fan Heaven, they are so loyal and loving and supportive and meak. But ain't none of them live round here.

Meek? OK.

 

[Pimlach]

2 minutes ago, Stoner said:

I decided to study the pic to see if I could recognize anyone. Not a soul. Should have gotten Christie. Maybe Shero. Really should have recognized Rick!

Glad you saw it because I posted that picture for you.  You can see a young RJ, the start of a HoF career.  

Gilles Villemure, Guy Trottier, Dennis Hextall were all good NHL players.  Allen Hamilton (top row) played for the Bisons in 69-70 and for the Sabres the very next season  - Always a good party trivia question.  

Frank Christie was retained by the Knoxes, and Freddie Hunt was retained in the front office.   

[LTS]

1 hour ago, Weave said:

I still wear my Sabres attire out and about.  Just last week I was in a local watering hole and a random guy next to me ask, you still wearing that stuff?

Yes, yes I am.  I am still a fan.  I don’t enjoy it enough to watch them right now, but they are still my team.

Stockholm syndrome, maybe?

Nah. It's reasonable. No one's value as a human should be judged just because they demonstrate fandom for a team like the Sabres (or any team). I think your willingness to put it on says all that needs be said about your fandom.  You stick by them through the bad. You're not supporting the monetarily or with your time, but you remain a fan and hopeful of when better days return.

What other option is there?  You can write them off entirely. Stop being a fan and then come back?  That's a bandwagon fan.

Now, if you keep telling yourself that it will be different this time (assuming evidence to the contrary) then you might be in an unhealthy relationship.

[Weave]

40 minutes ago, LTS said:

Nah. It's reasonable. No one's value as a human should be judged just because they demonstrate fandom for a team like the Sabres (or any team). I think your willingness to put it on says all that needs be said about your fandom.  You stick by them through the bad. You're not supporting the monetarily or with your time, but you remain a fan and hopeful of when better days return.

What other option is there?  You can write them off entirely. Stop being a fan and then come back?  That's a bandwagon fan.

Now, if you keep telling yourself that it will be different this time (assuming evidence to the contrary) then you might be in an unhealthy relationship.

Random dude on the barstool next to me wasn’t judging.  It was said with humor as the intent.  But it does show just how stretched fandom in this team has people.  (Too lazy to get the grammar right)

Terry, you really need to stand up and take notice.  You are maybe a season or two from flushing a wonderful fanbase down the toilet.

[That Aud Smell]

33 minutes ago, Weave said:

Terry, you really need to stand up and take notice.  You are maybe a season or two from flushing a wonderful fanbase down the toilet.

There is an existential risk afoot. Many (most?) diehard Sabres fans are ... well, dying off. Or fairly soon will be. 

Who's (whomst is) replacing them (us)?

My non-scientific survey of the youts is that this era in the desert has led to overwhelming indifference amongst the next generation of potential supporters.

[Weave]

4 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

There is an existential risk afoot. Many (most?) diehard Sabres fans are ... well, dying off. Or fairly soon will be. 

Who's (whomst is) replacing them (us)?

My non-scientific survey of the youts is that this era in the desert has led to overwhelming indifference amongst the next generation of potential supporters.

Yup.  My son is 27.  The last time this team was relevant he was in middle school.  The odds of him developing a fervent fanhood now are pretty unlikely I should think.

A whole generation skipped.  What an idiotic situation.

Edited yesterday at 11:10 PM by Weave

[LTS]

6 hours ago, Weave said:

Random dude on the barstool next to me wasn’t judging.  It was said with humor as the intent.  But it does show just how stretched fandom in this team has people.  (Too lazy to get the grammar right)

Terry, you really need to stand up and take notice.  You are maybe a season or two from flushing a wonderful fanbase down the toilet.

Sorry, I didn't intend to make it sound like i was commenting on the person next to you.  It was more in general. I've heard enough digs NOT made in jest in public settings. Not aimed at me... but in general.

1 hour ago, Weave said:

Yup.  My son is 27.  The last time this team was relevant he was in middle school.  The odds of him developing a fervent fanhood now are pretty unlikely I should think.

A whole generation skipped.  What an idiotic situation.

I'm glad he can at least remember that. My son hits 21 in 8 weeks and he's never known a relevant team.  He did drive into Buffalo to meet a friend from UB and they went to the game... so he is still having fun.  But he really wants a Buffalo team to win a championship and at least the Sabres in the playoffs.  Don't we all kid, don't we all.

[shrader]

1 hour ago, Weave said:

Yup.  My son is 27.  The last time this team was relevant he was in middle school.  The odds of him developing a fervent fanhood now are pretty unlikely I should think.

A whole generation skipped.  What an idiotic situation.

I met my wife a month after the last playoff game. The real root of the issue is that I’m not willing to do what needs to be done to return the team to relevance.