History of Buffalo Bills in Timeline

The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team located in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls area. They are part of the NFL's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Their home games are currently held at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. A new stadium is under construction and slated to open in 2026.

1918: Tommy Hughitt wear the number 1

From 1918 to 1924, Tommy Hughitt was reported to wear number 1.

1924: Tommy Hughitt wear the number 1

From 1918 to 1924, Tommy Hughitt was reported to wear number 1.

1966: Chiefs Win AFL Championship Game

In 1966, the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFL Championship Game, determining the AFL's representative in the first Super Bowl.

1966: Dolphins start playing

In 1966, the Miami Dolphins began playing as an expansion team in the American Football League.

1967: Buffalo Jills Founded

In 1967, the Buffalo Jills cheerleading squad was founded and operated until 1985.

1969: Number 31 Issued

In 1969, reserve running back Preston Ridlehuber wore the number 31 jersey during a game after damaging his number 36 jersey.

1971: Jack Kemp Elected to U.S. House

In 1971, Jack Kemp, former Buffalo Bills quarterback, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Western New York.

1979: Ed Rutkowski Elected as Erie County Executive

In 1979, Ed Rutkowski, former Buffalo Bills player, served as county executive of Erie County.

1981: Buffalo Win Playoff

In 1981, Buffalo won a playoff against the New York Jets

1982: Whammy Weenie Introduced and Discontinued

In 1982, a local grocery store introduced the Whammy Weenie as a promotional item, but Bills owner Ralph Wilson ordered it to be discontinued.

April 27, 1984: Silver Anniversary Team Announced

On April 27, 1984, the Buffalo Bills announced the Silver Anniversary team to commemorate its 25th anniversary.

1984: John Murphy Color Commentator

From 1984 to 2003, John Murphy was the color commentator for most years.

1984: Jets Move to New Jersey

In 1984, the New York Jets moved their home games to East Rutherford, New Jersey.

1985: Original Buffalo Jills Era Ends

From 1967 to 1985, the Buffalo Jills operated as an official cheerleading squad.

1986: Jills Operate as Independent Organization

From 1986 to 2013, the Buffalo Jills operated as an independent organization sponsored by various companies.

1987: Ed Rutkowski Ends Term as Erie County Executive

Ed Rutkowski's term as county executive of Erie County ended in 1987.

1987: Shout Becomes Official Promotional Song

In 1987, a variation of the Isley Brothers hit "Shout", recorded by Scott Kemper, became the Buffalo Bills' official promotional song, used through the 1990s.

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1990: Number 31 Reissued

In 1990, first-round draft choice James Williams wore the number 31 for his first two seasons before it was returned to general circulation.

1992: The Comeback

In 1992, the Bills overcame a 35–3 deficit to stun the Houston Oilers 41–38 in a game known as "The Comeback."

1992: Bills Win AFC Championship Game

In 1992, the Buffalo Bills won against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game.

1993: Bills Defeat Chiefs in AFC Championship Game

In 1993, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, advancing to their fourth straight Super Bowl appearance.

1994: Ken "Pinto Ron" Johnson's Attendance Streak Begins

Ken "Pinto Ron" Johnson began his streak of attending every Buffalo Bills home and away game in 1994.

1996: Jack Kemp Nominee for Vice President

In 1996, Jack Kemp served as the Republican Party nominee for Vice President of the United States under Bob Dole.

1996: Jacksonville hands Buffalo its first playoff loss

In 1996, Jacksonville handed Buffalo its first playoff loss in Bills Stadium.

1999: The Music City Miracle

In 1999, the Titans scored on a near-last-minute kickoff return with a controversial lateral pass ruling to beat the Bills 22–16 in a game known as "The Music City Miracle."

2001: Tom Brady Emerges

In 2001, Tom Brady's emergence led to the Patriots dominating the AFC East, impacting the Bills-Patriots rivalry.

2002: Mike Hollis wear the number 1

In 2002, Mike Hollis wore the number 1.

2003: John Murphy Takes Over as Announcer

From 2003 to 2022, John Murphy was the play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills Radio Network.

2008: Bills and Chiefs met in nine of ten years

From 2008 to 2017, the Bills and Chiefs met in nine of ten years.

2008: Preseason Games Broadcast in High Definition

Since 2008, the Bills' preseason games have been broadcast in high definition.

2009: Chris Berman Gives Induction Speech

In 2009, ESPN announcer Chris Berman gave the induction speech for Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson when Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2010: Bills Mafia Organized

In 2010, the Bills Mafia was organized via Twitter by Del Reid, Leslie Wille, and Breyon Harris.

2012: WBBZ-TV held the rights to cable games

In 2012 and 2013, WBBZ-TV held the rights to cable games for games broadcast by ESPN.

2013: Jills Operate as Independent Organization

From 1986 to 2013, the Buffalo Jills operated as an independent organization sponsored by various companies.

2013: WBBZ-TV held the rights to cable games

In 2012 and 2013, WBBZ-TV held the rights to cable games for games broadcast by ESPN.

2013: Stampede Drumline Serves as Official Band

Since the last game of the 2013 season, the Stampede Drumline has served as the official marching band for the Buffalo Bills.

2014: Doug Marrone Hired by Jacksonville

After the 2014 season, former Bills head coach Doug Marrone was hired as a coaching assistant for Jacksonville.

2014: WKBW-TV Broadcast Rights to Cable Games

From 2014 to 2017, WKBW-TV held the broadcast rights to cable games of regular season games shown on ESPN.

2014: William Fichtner in Commercial

In 2014, actor William Fichtner did a commercial for the Buffalo Bills.

2014: Jills Suspend Operations

Prior to the 2014 season, the Buffalo Jills suspended operations due to legal actions.

2015: William Fichtner Narrates Documentary

In 2015, William Fichtner narrated the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the Buffalo Bills' four Super Bowl appearances, "Four Falls of Buffalo".

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2015: Jaguars Win London Game

In 2015, the Jacksonville Jaguars won against the Buffalo Bills 34–31 in a London game.

2016: Team Programming Relocated to MSG Western New York

Beginning in the 2016 season, most Buffalo Bills team-related programming, including studio shows and the coach's show, was relocated to MSG Western New York, under a new rights deal. Preseason games continued to air in simulcast on broadcast television.

December 29, 2017: Bills uniforms in Ice Hockey Championships

On December 29, 2017, the United States men's national junior ice hockey team wore Bills-inspired uniforms in their outdoor game against Team Canada at Highmark Stadium.

2017: Bills Mafia Represents the Broad Community

By 2017, the phrase "Bills Mafia" had grown to unofficially represent the broad community surrounding and encompassing the team as a whole.

2017: Bills and Chiefs met in nine of ten years

From 2008 to 2017, the Bills and Chiefs met in nine of ten years.

2017: WKBW-TV Broadcast Rights to Cable Games

From 2014 to 2017, WKBW-TV held the broadcast rights to cable games of regular season games shown on ESPN.

2017: Ezra Castro Diagnosed with Tumor

In 2017, Ezra Castro, known as "Pancho Billa", was diagnosed with a spinal tumor that had metastasized.

2017: Jaguars Win Wild Card Game

In 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars won an ugly, low-scoring Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills 10–3, marking the first Bills playoff appearance in 17 seasons.

2017: Teams Return to Playoff Contention

Since 2017, the Bills and Titans have returned to consistent playoff contention, resulting in several high-profile games.

2018: Ezra Castro Invited on Stage

In 2018, Ezra Castro was invited on stage during the NFL draft to read one of the Buffalo Bills' selections.

2018: Agreement with Nexstar Media Group

In 2018, the Buffalo Bills signed an agreement with Nexstar Media Group to carry Bills preseason games across its network of stations in the region.

2018: Bills Win Rematch Game

In 2018, the Buffalo Bills won a "rematch" game against the Jacksonville Jaguars 24–21, with a brawl occurring due to trash talk.

May 14, 2019: Ezra Castro (Pancho Billa) Dies

Ezra Castro, also known as "Pancho Billa", died on May 14, 2019, after being diagnosed with a spinal tumor.

2019: Number 32 Reissued

In 2019, number 32, previously withdrawn from circulation after O. J. Simpson, was reissued and worn by Senorise Perry.

2019: Playoff Matchups between Bills and Chiefs

Since 2019, four high-profile postseason matchups have occurred between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

2020: WIVB-TV Becomes Flagship Station

In 2020, WIVB-TV became the flagship station of the Nexstar Media Group network for Bills preseason games, including other stations across New York.

2020: Bills and Chiefs met in the Championship Game

In 2020, a high-profile postseason matchup occurred between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the Championship Game.

2020: Fans Donate to Oishei Children's Hospital

In 2020, following an upset win over the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills fans donated nearly $700,000 to the Oishei Children's Hospital in support of Josh Allen, who played after learning of his grandmother's death.

2020: Bills File to Trademark "Bills Mafia" Name

In 2020, the Buffalo Bills filed to trademark the "Bills Mafia" name.

2020: Chiefs Advance to Super Bowl

In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship Game, advancing to its second Super Bowl appearances in six years.

2020: Bills took a 8-3 edge since Brady's departure

Since Tom Brady's departure in 2020, the Bills have taken a 8–3 edge.

April 1, 2021: Team to Wear White Face Masks

On April 1, 2021, the Buffalo Bills announced they would wear white face masks during the upcoming season and beyond.

2021: Emmanuel Sanders wear the number 1

In 2021, Emmanuel Sanders had a one-year stint with the Bills, wearing number 1.

2021: Bills and Chiefs met in the Divisional round game

In 2021, a high-profile postseason matchup occurred between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round game.

2021: Bills dominate Patriots in Playoff Match-up

In 2021, the Buffalo Bills dominated the New England Patriots in a 47–17 victory, scoring a touchdown on every offensive drive.

2021: Jaguars Upset Bills

In 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars upset the Buffalo Bills 9–6 in what was the seventh largest upset in NFL history at the time.

2021: Water Buffalo Club 716 Founded

In 2021, the Water Buffalo Club 716, a community of over 2,000 Bills supporters from around the world, was founded by Therese Forton-Barnes.

March 3, 2022: Settlement Reached in Jills Lawsuit

On March 3, 2022, a settlement was reached in the lawsuit between the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Jills. The Bills agreed to pay the Jills $3.5 million, and Cumulus Media paid $4 million in stock options, while admitting no wrongdoing.

2022: Chris Brown Takes Over

In 2022, Chris Brown took over as the play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills Radio Network after John Murphy suffered a stroke.

2023: Chiefs defeat Bills in divisional round

In 2023 divisional round, Bills lost to the Chiefs 24-27 as Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed the game-tying field goal attempt wide right

2023: Rasul Douglas wears 31

In 2023, cornerback Rasul Douglas wore the number 31 after joining the Bills.

2023: Connor J. McGovern wear the number 66

Since 2023, Connor J. McGovern wear the number 66 of Billy Shaw.

October 15, 2024: Marquez Valdes-Scantling Released

On October 15, 2024, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who last wore number 15, was released by the Buffalo Bills.

December 22, 2024: New Uniform Combination Debut

On December 22, 2024, the Buffalo Bills debuted a new uniform combination, consisting of their red Color Rush uniform and white pants.

2024: Bills Fans Raise Money for Tua Tagovailoa's Foundation

After a 2024 game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins where Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion, Bills fans helped raise $18,000 for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's charity, The Tua Foundation.

2024: Buffalo leads the series

As of 2024, Buffalo leads the series against the New York Jets with a 71–58 record, including a playoff win in 1981.

2024: Dolphins lead overall series

As of 2024, the Miami Dolphins lead the overall series against the Buffalo Bills with a 62–60–1 record, however, Buffalo has the advantage in the playoffs at 4–1.

2024: "Mr. Brightside" Becomes Hype Song

In 2024, the Buffalo Bills offensive players began a tradition of singing along to "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers as a hype song, usually in the fourth quarter; the Bills were undefeated at home in 2024 after the song was introduced.

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2024: Bills Win Against Jaguars on Monday Night Football

In 2024, the Buffalo Bills won against the Jacksonville Jaguars 47–10 on Monday Night Football.

2024: Chiefs Advance to Super Bowl

In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship Game, advancing to their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years.

2024: Chiefs defeat Bills in AFC Championship Game

In the 2024 AFC Championship Game, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 after the Bills failed to convert two 4th downs in the fourth quarter.