What Is a Buffalo Bills? Mystery of the Iconic NFL Team

It’s a chilly Sunday morning in Buffalo, New York. Fans decked out in Bills jerseys and winter gear crowd into Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills. As the players charge onto the field led by their furry blue buffalo mascot Billy, the crowd erupts into thunderous cheers of “Go Bills!” But if the team bears the city’s name, what does the buffalo represent? What is the real story behind the Buffalo Bills name and logo? Let’s crack the case!

How “Buffalo Bill” Cody Blazed a Trail Out West

To trace the birth of this team’s identity, we have to go way back to the wild frontier days of “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Known across America for his traveling Wild West shows, Buffalo Bill was a larger-than-life folk hero dubbed for his prowess hunting the mighty beasts that once roamed the Great Plains.

But there was more to this icon than shooting buffalo. As a former Pony Express rider and Civil War scout-turned-showman, Buffalo Bill presented a slice of pioneer life flavored with authentic danger and drama. His road shows featured crackshots, lasso tricks, cavalry charges and stampeding buffalo — myths brought to life captivating audiences from cowboys to Queens.

So when Ralph C. Wilson sought a compelling hook for his new AFL team in 1959, reviving the name of Buffalo’s former minor league squad “The Bills” linked his fledgling franchise back to icons and lore of the frontier past.

From Buffalo Hunting to Football: The Bills’ Origin Story

While displays of buffalo hunts featured prominently in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows, the shaggy creatures actually have special meaning in Western New York’s history.

You see, long before the Bills kicked off, real wild bison heavily populated the forests and plains surrounding Buffalo, NY. In fact the city itself was named after the Buffalo River where bison herds gathered. These furry beasts symbolized frontier freedom and resilience.

So when Buffalo secured an NFL franchise in 1959, fans eagerly embraced naming them the Bills. This paid tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody’s intrepid shows featuring his namesake beast. With Buffalo and bison sharing DNA, adopting this burly creature as their mascot completed the perfect pairing.

An Icon Evolves: The Story Behind the Bills Logo

Originally in 1960, the Bills logo was a rather cartoonish, forlorn-looking brown buffalo head. Not exactly capturing competitive intensity!

But in 1974, a radical redesign introduced the fiery red charging Bills buffalo recognized today. No longer docile, this beast oozed aggression – nostrils flared, head lowered, legs pounding the turf pulling its hefty body forward. Vibrant blue color against clean white uniforms made it burst with authority.

This dynamic logo symbolized the merciless competitive drive that came to define the Bills franchise. Design tweaks streamlined this classic charging motif through the years. But that relentless stance – embodying brute force and unrelenting will – made this beast a perfect visual encapsulation of the Bills team and community.

United in Beast Mode: What the Logo Represents

While the burly creature itself no longer roams the region, the Bills buffalo logo has become a symbolic representation of the solidarity between team and fanbase.

You see, actual buffalo survive bitter winters by banding together in sturdy herds. This communal mentality of group survival despite harsh conditions mirrors Western New York and its unwavering devotion to the Bills franchise. It embodies a collective resilience passed between community and team.

That’s why Bills Mafia proudly waves flags bearing that logo through snow squalls at Highmark Stadium parking lots. It’s the image rising reborn from ashes of their burning broken tables. It’s the beard of their loyal labs and retrievers barking for the Bills defense. This familiar likeness etched into indelible team history reminds fans and franchise alike that united they’ll overcome anything.

This is the deeper meaning of what it is to be a Bills Buffalo – a badge of Western New York’s indefatigable spirit and the promise of reward for unwavering devotion.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just a Football Team, It’s a Way of Life

So while outsiders scratch their heads wondering “What’s a Bills buffalo?” – natives of Buffalo, New York intrinsically understand everything this logo embodies. Far more than an ordinary NFL mascot – the Bills buffalo brilliantly captures the soul of this region, its beloved franchise and their quest for glory forged in collective resilience. It’s a lifestyle Buffalo locals wear proudly stamped on their hearts and sleeves during football season…and the snowbound months that fill the rest of the long year out there near the shores of Lake Erie!