Remember Russert

Everyone has their time when God calls them home, and unfortunately for Russert's family, friends, colleagues, Buffalonians, Bills fans, and Americans that time was yesterday.  Tim Russert was an icon that everyone associated with "Meet the Press", Buffalo Bills, a man of great integrity, passion and loyalty.  Tim Russert was a man who loved where he came from and wanted everyone to know it.  He made his way up to one of the most unbelievable jobs Russert could have ever imagined, questioning political elite every Sunday on "Meet the Press."  What a dreamer, what a man, who took his knowledge, morals, and drive from South Buffalo to the top of NBC's political chair.  The Bureau Chief, the election man, the man with the little white markerboard who would tell us if Bush or Gore had won an election.

Tim Russert is what being a Buffalo Bills fan is all about.  We should never forget the contributions of Tim Russert to always be "grounded" and never forget where he came from.  I think it is a powerful message to all of us.  As Bills fans we know the uniqueness that being a Bills fan is all about.  Sure we have lost 4 Super Bowls and gone through so much agony but as Russert said in an interview with Steve Sabol, as Bills fans we are truly "blessed."  In this interview on NFL network Russert comments on how being a Bills fan and going to gamedays at the Ralph is truly an amazing experience.  Whether you were irish, polish, jewish, black, italian, hispanic, etc. It didn't matter come gameday for the Bills as everyone would be rooting for the red, white and blue no matter what on Sundays.  And this is never more evident than this upcoming season with season Tickets at an all-time record high since the 1993 season.

Russert was a man of integrity, passion, conviction and extreme loyalty.  No matter how big his wallet got or how high he climbed the corporate ladder, he never forgot where he came from or what mattered most in his life.  A great father, as evidence by his best-selling book, "Big Russ & Me" and a moderator for the best political show on television, Russert was a a man that all of us should look up to and never forget. 

Last night on NBC, Russert's closest colleague and journalistic icon, Tom Brokaw took an hour to relive the memories of Tim Russert and give a tribute to the life of a great Irish-Catholic from South Buffalo.  On a day where many Americans mourned his death, Brokaw fought back the emotion to deliver a compassionate tribute to the 58 year old Russert.  It was a stunning demonstration of the unity that very few people can give this country and reminded me of what my parents must have felt when their icons such as JFK, MLK, RFK and many others when they passed away.  Russert had always given me so much hope that a guy from my favorite city of my favorite sports team, who never forgot where he came from, if he could meet his dreams as a Journalistic Icon, why couldn't I fulfill my dreams?  He gave me reason to dream.  Russert's favorite saying from his dad was "what a country."  In these times of 8 years without a playoff appearance, economic hardships, wars overseas, and other domestic issues, it is Russert who should remind us all of what a great country we live in, where our dreams really can come true.  There is truly nothing that we cannot achieve and Russert is an example we should never forget as we chase down our dreams.

I will never forget the lessons that Tim Russert passed on.  If one day I am lucky enough to be a father, I undoubtedly will be a better father because of Tim Russert, and I never even met the man.  Tom Brokaw concluded last night's tribute with this quote that I will paraphrase: "So tonight tip a cold one back for ol' Timmy and say a prayer. and Go Bills"

For the last time, those words were uttered in memory of Tim Russert.  "Go Bills."  And never in my lifetime have they meant more to me.

- Go Bills