Alright, let’s talk about this Buffalo Bills Super Bowl thing. It’s not just a game, you know? For me, it became sort of a ritual, a tough one, but something I went through year after year back in the day.
Getting Started – The First Time
I remember that first one, Super Bowl XXV. We were all so hyped. Got the buddies over, stocked up on chips and beer. Found my lucky spot on the couch. You know how it is. We really thought, this is it. This is our year. The game was tight, back and forth. Man, the tension. You could feel it in the room. Everyone was holding their breath, especially near the end.
Then came that kick. Wide right. Just silence in the room after that. Absolute gut punch. Didn’t know what to say. We just kinda cleaned up and everyone went home quiet. Didn’t think much beyond the disappointment then, figured we’d be back.
The Routine Sets In
And we were back. Next year, Super Bowl XXVI. Felt a bit different. Still hopeful, yeah, but maybe a little more nervous. Did the whole routine again – friends, food, same spot maybe. But Washington, they were just better that day. It wasn’t close like the year before. That loss felt… heavier? Like, okay, maybe it wasn’t just bad luck last time.
Year three, XXVII against Dallas. By now, it wasn’t pure excitement anymore. It was more like… okay, let’s do this thing, hope for the best. The setup was the same, but the mood was kinda cautious. And good grief, that game was rough. Turnovers. Just mistake after mistake. It wasn’t just a loss; it felt like an embarrassment. Started wondering if we were cursed or something.
The Final Attempt (Back Then)
Super Bowl XXVIII. Same teams, Dallas again. Honestly? Getting ready for this one felt like a chore. Part of me didn’t even want to watch. Did I? Yeah, of course. You gotta. But the belief wasn’t really there anymore, not deep down. It was more habit, more loyalty than real expectation. And well, it went how it went. Another loss.
After that fourth one, it was just numb. No real anger, just emptiness. Cleaning up the snacks felt different. It wasn’t just cleaning up after a party; it felt like putting away a dream for a long, long time.
What I Learned (If Anything)
So, that was my “practice” with the Bills and the Super Bowl back then. It was about:
- Getting Ready: The ritual of preparing to watch, getting the supplies, finding the spot.
- Experiencing Hope: Letting yourself believe, even when it got harder each time.
- Facing Disappointment: Dealing with the letdown, over and over.
- Sticking With It: Showing up the next year, even when it hurt.
It sounds kinda miserable, and yeah, parts of it were. But it also builds something in you. Resilience, maybe? Or maybe it just makes you appreciate the good times, whenever they finally roll around. Haven’t seen them back in the big game since, but you know, when you’ve been through that… you’re always kinda watching, kinda waiting. It’s just part of being a fan, I guess. You just keep doing it.
