Beautiful Struggle

My new t-shirt, courtesy of twoeightninetshirts and set to join my closet in a couple of weeks, says a lot about why I'm a fan of the Buffalo Bills:

1) I'm a masochist. That list of quarterbacks, post the great Jim Kelly, proves it.

2) The Bills are losers. I was born to cheer for them. They belong in Toronto, even if it means sharing them with Buffalo. After all, that city doesn't have much anything.

The t-shirt does bring back some fond memories -- Flutie Flakes!!1 Actually, that's about it. Other than that, it represents failure, heartache, and disappointment. To this day, I still wonder what Wade Phillips was thinking 10 years ago when he started Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie against the Tennessee Titans. As for the Music City Miracle, hadn't the Bills, and poor Buffalo, been through enough? More questions: what in God's name was I thinking when I bought that Drew Bledsoe jersey? Four quarterbacks were drafted in the first round in 2005, which one doesn't belong: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, or J.P. Losman?

But there's more to that t-shirt. It doesn't represent the past, no. It represents the struggle. Because the day will come when the name of another quarterback is added to that list who need not have his name crossed off with red ink.

Be sure to follow twoeightnine on Twitter for more great t-shirts, and some excellent photography.

A Song About the Buffalo Bills

Years and years of losing and heartbreak are really beginning to take their toll on fans of the Buffalo Bills. Check out the following, it's pretty amazing:

Some great lines, eh?

My favourites would have to be:

"Give me a break, it can't happen every week."

"Let's not talk about the early 90s, how every play I see, makes my eyes bleed."

"Lee Evans was the best wide receiver, he runs routes like a golden retriever."

"Aaron Schobel doesn't get recognition (editors note: so true; since 2001 he ranks second in total sacks, behind only Jason Taylor), when the ball is snapped he turns on his ignition."

A big tune if there ever was one. 

You know, I wonder how that dude might celebrate when the Bills, one day, do win the Super Bowl. (Yes, it is going to happen.) Would he riot in the streets? Would he break down and sob uncontrollably? Would he write another song? 

For his sake, and for all of Buffalo, I hope it happens. That town has had to deal with more than its fair share of misery. It's no wonder I root for their football team.