Changing Of The Guard

Over the course of the past several months there has been a shifting tide with major implications throughout our communities and beyond. A “wave”, if you will. The status quo is again being challenged. New ideas, new leaders, and a changing of the guard is at hand. Those used to the power of being at the top have had to reassess the price of success and contemplate the prospect of watching others publicly celebrate their achievements for possibly years to come. Of course, I’m talking about the fact that the Buffalo Bills are all alone at the top of the AFC East in early December, occupying a perch owned by the Patriots for decades. (Aside from 2002 and 2008, but no one remembers who won those years. Sorry Jets and Dolphins fans, but it’s true.) There are New Englanders entering their 20s that have only known the joy of that success, and nothing of the decades of mediocrity prior to the Brady/Belichick run. Change is upon us.

In a year marked with so many reasons to be down, we’re all searching for any little spark that can make our existence a little more pleasant. In western New York, a winning Bills team is providing a much needed distraction from the long list of 2020 challenges thrust upon us. It would help any community, but in Buffalo it’s different. I can’t really explain why, but it just is. And the positivity is infectious beyond simply celebrating a win or good standing. This was on display in early November when on a Saturday night the Bill’s quarterback, Josh Allen, lost his grandmother. After consulting with family and coaches, Josh decided to play in Sunday’s game, putting forth a career performance in a statement win against an elite opponent. Since his addition to the organization two years ago Allen has shown nothing but total commitment to his teammates and the community, mirroring the values that make that part of the country what it is. There wasn’t any mention of the Allen family’s loss outside of the team until after the game, when a locker room moment was captured on camera with Josh getting emotional about dedicating the game to his grandmother. Late that Sunday a lone fan posted the idea of donating $17 (Allen’s jersey number) to the Oishei Childrens Hospital in Buffalo, where Josh spends time with patients and staff, in honor of his grandmother. By Monday morning donations had gone above $25,000. End of the day Monday saw a total over $100,000. And it wasn’t just Bills fans driving the effort – fans of other teams from all over wanted to show support and be part of something organic and positive. This continued over the course of the next several days with the total settling in at just under $700,000 – most of which was donated in $17 increments from over 27,000 donors. Needless to say that hospital administrators were mostly speechless when trying to describe what this unanticipated outpouring of support meant to hospital’s mission to treat their young patients. Especially considering the difficult economic hardships facing many.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the season many of us will remember examples like this, beyond the wins, that when faced with difficult times communities pulled together to rally around something positive. A Superbowl win would be OK too.