Ralph Wilson jr passed away. He was the last, great owner in the NFL. He was a member of "The foolish club" where he payed $25,000 to purchase the rights to an AFL team. He parlayed that investment into the Billion dallar Buffalo Bills. along the way he ammassed 2 AFL championships and 4 AFC championships. the 4 AFC championships came in consecutive years, something that no other team has done.
Look. I could spout the same boring statistics that many other people will spout over the next week or so, but that isn't all that importaant. What is important is the impact he had. Not just on a city. Not just on the NFL. Not just on his players. I'm mostly interested in the impact he had on the fans.
Ralph cared about the people of Buffalo greatly. Any person who got a chance to talk to him before, or after Bills games knows how down to earth he was.You can't be down to earth if you don't have compassion for the people you're interacting with.
The greatest memory I have of Ralph wa after a football game a few years ago.As my family and I were leaving the stadium, I noticed a golfcart stopping near gate 1 which is the gate I use. I turned around and noticed Ralph was in that golf cart.
I made a slightly rapid stroll back towards the cart and the people that were traveling with him due to his failing health (he was 91 or 92 at the time) said that he wouldn't have a lot of time. Ralph thought otherwise and insisted that he make time to wave to us all and smile that wonderful smile. It warmed my heart to see that.
That trademark smile. I bet anyone living in Western NY could recognise that smile. He always wore it when he was out. Yes, if he thought his team was getting the short end of the stick, he made sure you knew it. He and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue sparred many times over the years. Ralph usually had the last word. Who can forget the statue of an NFL referee Ralph had in his office? You know, the one with the patch over his eye? The next offseason, Ralph changed his vote and replay review became the norm in the NFL.
More recently, Ralph was outspoken against the CBA. Nearly everyone made fun of him. Before deciding he was right and opting out of the agreement themselves. Ralph, it seems, was right all along.
4 days before Ralph Wilson Jr passed away, he was on the phone with Russ Brandon. They were talking about football. What else? Ralph wnted to discuss a player prospect that he thought was a third or fourth round draft pick. Now, less then a week later. Ralph Wilson Jr is gone.
Buffalo lost a great football mind, A wonderful ambassador, and, most importantly, a good friend. He will be sorely missed.
