Written by Marissa Packard
Photo courtesy of the Buffalo News
I know that we’re all itching to get back to the Bills stadium at least once this season. After the undefeated start to the season, it has gotten harder for the fans to grasp the reality of not cheering the team on from the stands. Before the NFL season started in August, the organization announced that there would be no fans for the first two games of the season which went along with New York States Department of Health's guidance. The organization put out a statement on Sept. 29 stating that they won't be having fans at their home games for the foreseeable future.
A glimmer of hope did arise when Governor Cuomo, on a conference call with reporters on Sept. 30, said he would be touring Bills Stadium and meeting with the front office to talk about the possibility of having fans. Also, Erie Country Executive, Mark Poloncarz, weighed in on the possibility of allowing fans into the stadium. The most important thing that they're looking into is timed entry and timed exit from the stadium. Bills stadium capacity is 71,870, Poloncarz’s proposed plan allows 7,000 people into the stadium on game day.
While this decision is hard for the fans to deal with, it's difficult for the players too. The crowd in the stands is so important for home field advantage and gives the players motivation when playing the game. When players share the relationship with the fans as much as bills players do, the absence is felt on game day. Some of the players have took to twitter to ask Governor Cuomo to reimagine his guidance on having fans in the stadium this season. Defensive Tackle Harrison Phillips, backup Quarterback Matt Barkley and Long Snapper, Reid Ferguson looked to twitter to try and advocate to have Bills Mafia be part of a season that will be memorable.
