Thank you for your opinion. Now please shut up.

There was an article in today's Buffalo News from a gentleman named Bob Tortorici called 'Money-hungry NFL has lost its true magic.' I started reading it, expecting to hear about how players salaries have increased exponentially, while the product on the field has stayed relatively the same, or how the multibillion dollar NFL with it's far reaching tentacles has saturated every part of our lives. Instead, Mr. Tortorici stated, as many have before him, how expensive it is to attend a game. Not that he's unable to afford it, but that he begrudges spending the money to feed "the greed machine" because of the deplorable actions of the players and fans, and lack of players who play for the love of the game anymore. I wonder if Mr. Tortorici is aware that there are any number of other cities in this country with citizens literally grasping at straws in order to get a team in their city. I think some people in this area forget at times, is that Buffalo is one of only 32 cities to have a professional football franchise bestowed upon them. It's a contentious battle, I'd imagine, for Ralph Wilson to wage regularly in order to keep the team here. Ralph has gone to bat not only for the team, but for this area and it's fans on countless occasions, in a concerted effort to keep the team here. We are part of a special history. The Bills were there at the inception of the NFL. We have one of the founding fathers of professional football fighting tooth and nail to keep the team in Buffalo AND to keep it viable in the day and age where the almighty dollar is king. It's no secret the NFL is an all powerful being with the ability to decide Buffalo is no longer deserving of a franchise. It's articles like Mr. Tortorici's which lend credence to the idea that Buffalo shouldn't have the Bills. Unfortunately, prices rise. Inflation happens. It's a moot point to continue to discuss the economic recession and likely depression when there are people across the country willing to pay the prices in order to have a team in their city. My family was in no way able to afford tickets to a Bills game. I, myself didn't attend one until I was 20 years old.

Secondly, there are still players who play for the love of the game. It's unfortunate today's media only discusses those who are out to be celebrities or who aren't able to abide by the rules and laws like the rest of us. Those players out to make a name for themselves for their antics, rather than their game play do take away from the game. That is a universal problem with ALL sports, across ALL levels of play. There are college soccer players punching opposing players on the field and yanking their hair. There are also little league parents who start fights with opposing fans and coaches. There are hooligans overseas. It's called sports. From the littlest of the little leagues to the elitist of the big leagues, it happens. Regardless of all of that extraneous fluff, there are people at the games each and every week spending their hard earned dollars, taking time out of their lives supporting the teams they bleed for. I'm sorry that experience isn't worth the $250 or $300 you would spend at a Bills game. I'm sorry your son won't feel the energy in the air when the players rush out onto the field amid fireworks and flames. I'm sorry he won't be able to sing the national anthem along with 74,000 others and watch a flyover in wonder. I'm sorry he won't be able to experience the absolute thrill as everyone in the stadium stands, cheering on the Bills when they score. THAT is what you're paying for. THAT is what you are missing. The money is secondary. It's honestly disgusting to me that you and I are both considered Buffalonians, because honestly, Mr. Tortorici, you lack that which makes a true Buffalonian. To wish and hope that we would lose our franchises, because you are unwilling to pay for that privilege is unconscionable. There are so many people here who are not only willing and able, but grateful for the opportunity in this area, especially when they look back at their lives and are able to say 'I was there when. . .' I'm sorry you don't see the value in that. I could go on. But honestly, what I'd really like to say is speak for yourself and NOT for Buffalo. Your opinion is duly noted.