Drew Bledsoe will be the Bills Legend of the Game for Buffalo's 1 p.m. contest against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. Bledsoe is excited to return to the stadium where his NFL career began.
Initially drafted as a Patriot, Bledsoe made his debut against Buffalo in 1993 before the Bills traded a first-round pick to acquire the star quarterback from New England in 2003.
"Coming back into that stadium and having the fans welcome me rather than boo the crap out of me was great," Bledsoe said. "Loved it. We just, very quickly, fell in love with everything about Western New York and especially being a part of the Bills."
One of Bledsoe's favorite memories about his time in Buffalo was the passion and respect of Bills Mafia.
"They were relentlessly positive when we were out in the community. There was never any of the bitterness that you sometimes experienced with other fanbases," Bledsoe said. "It just made it really comfortable as a player to be out in the community and you go have dinner and people might wish you good luck but then leave you alone and just really treat you like you're part of the community rather than putting you on a pedestal and trying to get all in your business."
Scroll to see archival photos from Bills vs Dolphins games throughout the years!
2 Jan 1999: Thurman Thomas #34 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball during the AFC Wild Card Game against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Bills 24-17.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds (80) runs to the end zone on a 53-yard touchdown reception with Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion, left, and cornerback Sam Madison, right, during the third quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium, in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. The Bills won 23-3. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
2 Nov 1997: Running back Thurman Thomas #34 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by defensive back George Teague #23 of the Miami Dolphins during the Bills 9-6 win at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) runs with the ball after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Miami. In pursuit is Buffalo Bills tackle Sam Young (71)(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) touchdown
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) 10,000 yard rush
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, October 20, 2019 at New Era Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, October 20, 2019 at New Era Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) interception
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Holmes (18)
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
Photo by Bill Wippert.
December 17, 2017.
Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 31, 2017. Photo by Craig Melvin.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, October 20, 2019 at New Era Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 31, 2017. Photo by Craig Melvin.
Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 31, 2017. Photo by Craig Melvin.
Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 31, 2017. Photo by Craig Melvin.
Micah Hyde (23) and Levi Wallace (39) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown (15) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, November 17, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Reggie Gilliam (86) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, November 17, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Harrison Phillips (99) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Stefon Diggs (14) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, November 17, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Gabriel Davis (13) celebrates his 4th quarter TD catch with Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Harrison Phillips (99) fumble recovery. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, January 3, 2021 at Bills Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
John Brown (15) touchdown catch. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, January 3, 2021 at Bills Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, January 3, 2021 at Bills Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Micah Hyde (23). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, September 19, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Devin Singletary (26). Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, September 19, 2021. Photo by Jeff Romance
Dion Dawkins (73), Josh Allen (17) celebrating Dawson Knox (88) touchdown reception. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, September 19, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Gabriel Davis (13) touchdown. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, January 3, 2021 at Bills Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, September 19, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Taiwan Jones (25) and Tyrel Dodson (53) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Jordan Poyer (21) interception. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Emmanuel Sanders (1) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, October 31, 2021. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 3, September 25, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Wild Card Game, January 15, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Wild Card Game, January 15, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 3, September 25, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Wild Card Game, January 15, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 3, September 25, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Wild Card Game, January 15, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Wild Card Game, January 15, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 15, December 17, 2022 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 15, December 17, 2022 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 15, December 17, 2022 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Week 15, December 17, 2022 at Highmark Stadium.
Bledsoe threw for over 10,000 yards with Buffalo, adding 57 total touchdowns across his three seasons with Buffalo. He finished his career with a two-season stint in Dallas. Now, the former Bills quarterback is trying his hand in a much different field of work.
Bledsoe returned to his hometown in the Walla Walla Valley to start Bledsoe Family Winery, one of a family of wineries that make up Bledsoe Wine Estates.
"I discovered while we were playing football and we got into wine, that my little hometown was making some of the best wines in the entire world," Bledsoe said. "So when I decided to retire from the NFL, it was specifically so that we could go focus on that business. And it's been a great ride, it's turned into a real company, but it's all based on trying to make truly world-class wines."
The play of both teams taking the field Sunday has also been world-class, as the Bills once again have one of the best offenses and defenses in the league while the Dolphins put up a whopping 70 points last weekend against the Denver Broncos.
Scroll for the best photos from Wednesday's practice on Sept. 27 as the Bills get ready to host the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Week 4 practice at One Bills Drive, September 27, 2023.
