This certainly has been an off-season of surprise moves by the Buffalo Bills.
First, owner Ralph Wilson decides to retain coach Dick Jauron after three consecutive 7-9 seasons.
Then, the Bills shock the football world by signing always-in-the-news diva wide receiver Terrell Owens.
And, this afternoon, came the unusual announcement that Wilson had chosen ESPN's Chris Berman to be in his Pro Football Hall of Fame presenter this August in Canton, Ohio.
I know Berman has been a Bills backer since just before the team's Super Bowl run in the early 1990s, but I really thought Marv Levy, the team's all-time coach and Wilson confidant, would be the guy to present Ralph with his bust.
"Chris has been a friend of mine for many years and I thought he would be a great person to introduce me, if he would do so,'' Wilson said in a statement just released by the team. "He acknowledged that he would and I thank him very much and he will be in Canton with me. Chris really embodies the Bills fans, who have played such an important role in my career in professional football. Professional football is all about the fans and having Chris as my presenter follows that thought.”
Ralph, of course, can choose whomever he wants. But if he really wanted somebody to embody the Bills 12th Man he should have chosen a fan rather than a celebrity - maybe someone who's been a season-ticket holder for all 50 seasons.
In leiu of that, Tim Russert's son, Luke, also would have been a good choice, or how about the longtime "Voice of the Bills" - Van Miller?
What do you think?
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I'll bet my mortgage, Berman will work his "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills'' into his presentation speech.
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3 comments:
Scott,
Berman's OK, perhaps the Bills most on-camera fan other than Elvis, the guy at the tunnel end.
Van would be Vantastic. You would be OK, as well.
But, really, give Berman a pass. He'll be fine.
Jim M.
Berman will be fine... its just weird that Wilson would pick him rather than Marv or Van or a list of others. But he's always marched to the beat of a different drum.
John O.
Jim and John O.,
You're right. Berman will be fine. He'll no doubt whip the Buffalo-dominated crowd in Canton into a frenzy. Should be fun. I just thought Marv would have been his pick. And I thought Van would have gotten people fired up, too.
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