By: Passionate Buffalo Bills fan Patti Bax
Original Date: 9/15/24
Hello sports fans, and welcome back to the IE Sports Radio Blog. Think back to when you were a child and to those memories evoking anticipation, excitement and unbridled joy. Perhaps it was Christmas eve (if you celebrated), when your parents told you Santa wasn’t going to visit if you didn’t go to sleep; easier said than done. How could you sleep when you knew what was waiting for you? Or perhaps it was waiting patiently to celebrate your birthday with cake, presents, and your friends. Maybe you might finally get the adorable puppy you always wanted.
These feelings of joy, anticipation, and excitement describe emotions for any fan visiting an NFL training camp for the first time. It’s also the feeling of veteran fans returning to training camp, with new energy and hope this will finally be the season the team wins the ultimate prize.
Despite being a Bills fan for years, Patty Champion (@PattysPatches and @pattychampion1) attended training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York for her first time on July 28th. It was a beautiful Sunday morning with the sun shining down on fans and the team. Patty joined my husband and me, as well as our “adopted” Hungarian son, Szaby, my future niece, and her friend, as we headed to training camp.
As a yellow school bus transported us from the parking lot to the university campus, we could see the town of Pittsford decorated in all things Buffalo Bills, setting a welcoming tone for visitors. Once we passed through the ticket gates, it was a Bills Mafia party, with games, giveaways, food, merchandise, and most of all, smiling faces.
After packing our bags with all the goodies, including a 2024-2025 magnetic schedule, we headed over to the practice field, where the team was just getting started with unit-specific drills. Throughout the practice, music blared, with players dancing in between plays to keep up their enthusiasm during the intense reps. When the final horn sounded, some players proceeded to the showers, while others stayed on the field to continue perfecting their craft.
Still others, like star QB Josh Allen, headed to sign autographs before conducting a television interview. Patty had a front row seat as Josh walked to where she was sitting in the bleachers. “It was the 1st time I had been to practice, and I had a fantastic time. The best part was watching Josh sign for all the kid,” she said. My husband Fran always enjoys wearing his bucket hat, handmade by Patty, and soaking in the fun with all of Bills Mafia. “I’m always entertained going to camp, even though I don’t know all the players. I do enjoy watching Josh Allen play.”
Szabolcs (Szaby) Bozsanyi, (@BozsanyiDr), who is from Hungary, has become a rabid Bills fan and could not wait to attend training camp. He also had a chance to be close to Josh when he came by to sign autographs. Szaby held the sign I made for him, proclaiming his passion for the Bills as a super fan from Hungary. “Going to the Bills camp was an incredible experience, especially being so close to Josh Allen in action. I did not believe he was real; he was so close. He could even read the caption on my sign that I am a Hungarian fan, and he was happy to read that. When he glanced my way, I became frozen. Also, the weather was so hot, which is unusual for Buffalo. Because it was so hot, Fran and I enjoyed eating ice cream.”
Szaby, who is by nature a joyful and positive person, also gave his impression on the upcoming Bills season. “I am pretty optimistic about this season; I think a very good season is coming.” Leaving the training camp to head back to our car, we were all infused with Bills fever and eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new season.
Fans who attend training camp every year still have the excitement of a young child overflowing with wonder as they open a gift. Just ask Pittsburgh Steeler diehard and host of the Yinzer Report Ralph Calise (@caliser786, @YinzerReport_IE). “For the 27th straight year, I have been to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. I go with my best friend/brother Greg, and also, most recently, with my son Anthony, who finished his 12th straight year. At camp we take in the experience of a new season, expecting a trophy with a team that wears black and gold, a city that shows black and gold, and mentally a nation (Steelers Fans) who wear nothing but black and gold 24/7of the days we are there. I will say it’s an experience like no other. It’s a big family gathering and your juices flow seeing everything live with hopes of bringing home the 7th Lombardi Trophy.”
Whether you are attending training camp for the first time or the 20th time, excitement still reigns. It’s just like opening a special gift, hoping for something you always wanted, and finding it was even better than you imagined. All those amazing aspects of camp, including the atmosphere, giveaways, being with fans young and old, and meeting players, create lifetime memories.
Training camp for 2024 is a wrap. Start planning now to visit your favorite NFL team’s training camp for next year and you too can create your own memories of a lifetime. Tune in to The Buffalo Huddle, hosted by Patti Bax, on Tuesdays at 7 PM EST/4 PM PST. Be sure to check out all of the great IESR family shows, and follow us on all social media platforms @iesportsradio. You can follow me on X @BuffaloHudl_IE or @huddles10251. Shout out to our sponsors, Planet Jerky premium brisket beef jerky, and Seal the Deal Wax Stamps. Thank you for reading, and we will see you next time on IE Sports Radio; your direct feed for ALL that is sports.
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