Bills seven-time Pro Bowl special teamer Steve Tasker called it a unique moment in Bills history, and the organization is making sure their 50th year of pro football is something special.
Unveiling a series of 50th Anniversary Season initiatives, the Bills in conjunction with title sponsor Tops Friendly Markets introduced the club's 50th Season logo for the historic 2009 season which includes both the standing and charging buffalo synonomous with Bills football. There will also be an opportunity for fans to vote for a 50th Season All-Time Team.
"Online voting begins right away at Buffalobills.com for offensive and special teams rosters," said Tasker. "Voting for defensive players and a head coach will begin on March 25th. The interactive site will take fans position by position to choose from a set of nominees."
If fans are unable to vote online they can also fill out paper ballots at any Tops store in Western New York where 50th Season merchandise will also be available for purchase. Commemorative 50th Season apparel can also be found at either of the two Bills stores at One Bills Drive and the Eastview Mall in Rochester, or online at Buffalobills.com.
Fans that vote will be eligible for prizes including a Tops five-minute shopping spree with a Bills player, 50th Season autographed merchandise, $50 Bills Store gift certificates and more.
"The history of Bills football over the past 50 years is something we really wanted to be part of and we think our customers are really going to get excited," said Tops CEO Frank Curci. "It's going to build over these next couple of months as the season starts to build and to have them participate in clothing and merchandise is really going to work well for all of us."
The players listed in the Bills All-Time Team voting pages were nominated by the Bills Wall of Fame Committee during a special meeting in January.
"The job was to try to suggest nominees for the all-time team," said Wall of Fame Committee organizer Denny Lynch. "I think the committee did an excellent job with some tough decisions, and I was proud to be a part of it."
Players nominated to the list by the Wall of Fame Committee had to have played for the Bills for at least four seasons or have been a member of the Bills 25th Anniversary Team.
Voting for all positions will conclude on Sunday, April 19th and the Bills All-Time Team, as voted by the fans, will be announced at the Bills Season Ticket Holder Draft Day Party on Saturday, April 25th. The Bills All-Time Team members will be introduced to the fans in person during the first regular season home game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
"It'll be a couple of weeks after Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Tasker. "That's big. It's going to be an enormous season for everyone and it's going to kick off with a huge bit of fireworks. It gives me chills to think about it, it really does."
