Regardless of weather, including hot and cold game days, Bills fans showed up and showcased their support for their favorite NFL team throughout the 2017 season. To thank them for being the best fans in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills awarded over 1,000 prizes during the team's Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins as part of the annual Fan Appreciation Day. Among the many prizes distributed throughout the game, were a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The lucky recipient was none other than longtime Bills Season Ticket Member Tim McNamara – who was honored on-field during a pregame ceremony along with a group of original Season Ticket members.
McNamara's love for the Bills began when he was only eight years old. His dad, who is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, was recruited to operate the game clock during Buffalo's inaugural season in 1960. As his father sat on the field manning the clock, McNamara sat with his mother along the 50-yard line in his family's Season Ticket Member seats. By 1977, the seats were officially in his name, allowing him to continue the Bills football tradition.
Decades later, McNamara passed his Bills pride down to his children and grandchildren. Each family member views the coveted 50-yard line seats as a rite of passage and their favorite form of family bonding. At the Miami Dolphins game in Week 15, McNamara walked onto the field for the first time to be honored for his many years of loyalty, all the while his son took pictures from their seats.
Little did either of them know, an even bigger surprise was about to happen. During the excitement of the ceremony, a message from Kyle Williams began playing on the video board announcing that the individual with the football that matched his jersey number was headed to the Super Bowl. Much to McNamara's surprise, he was lucky number 95!
"It was a shock and half," stated McNamara.
McNamara could not have been more thrilled to attend Super Bowl LII, choosing to make it a family affair by bringing along his son Jim. When arriving in Minnesota, McNamara and his son braved the cold temperatures and met with fellow Season Ticket Members from around the League for a remarkable weekend.
As he and his son attended events and shared meals with Season Ticket Members from all over the country, they had the opportunity to bond over memorable plays and games from throughout the season.
"My son and I are in line to get lunch at the NFL experience," stated McNamara while reminiscing. "It was one of those bank lines were it kind of goes sideways and back and forth. When we finally got to the front of the line, a couple people came up wearing Bengals shirts. They asked, 'Where does the line start?' and I said, 'right in front of me, it's the least we can do to thank you.'"
McNamara and his son made many noteworthy memories throughout the weekend. Some of their highlights from the trip include receiving recognition for having season tickets for over 50 years, making them the longest tenured Season Ticket Members in the group, and getting to meet former Bills defensive end Phil Hansen.
"The weekend was indescribable in so many ways," stated McNamara. "We had a wonderful time!"
