Goodell praises Bills fans, says future depends on their passion
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today paid tribute to Western New Yorkers' passion for their Buffalo Bills and said the long-term future of the franchise here depends on that passion.
"The passion that you all have for football, for the NFL, for the Bills, is something I talk about when I go across the country," Goodell told about 250 diehard Bills fans at the Monday Quarterback Club luncheon.
Asked by emcee Howard Simon about the future of the Bills and whether they will be here long-term, Goodell replied, "Well, I very affirmatively believe they can. It's up to us, all of us, to make sure that happens."
Goodell, during a three-minute speech and 19-minute question-and-answer session, cited the league's revenue-sharing system that allows other smaller-market National Football League franchises such as the Green Bay Packers, to survive and thrive.
"It's going to depend on your passion for this team," he told the crowd inside the HSBC Arena Harbour Club, citing the team's regionalization efforts that have helped expand its market to the Southern Tier, Rochester and Southern Ontario.
"It's a franchise we're very proud of," the Chautauqua County native said.
Later, in a brief meeting with reporters, Goodell again cited the franchise's history, tradition and passion.
"It ultimately comes down to whether the team can continue to be successful here, and I think they can," he added.
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