Pardon the Interruption: Ralph Wilson

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Pardon the Interruption is one of ESPN's most popular talk shows. It features Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon going over the "most important' sports news of the day in an argumentative fashion. The last time I was aware of the Buffalo Bills being featured for a segment of the show it was when we were 4-0 in 2008 and they had Trent Edwards on for a 5 minute interview. The following I transcribed for you guys, I figured you might be interested because it was the first time in a long time the Bills have been discussed on ESPN without the normal ridicule and dismissive attitude that accompanies it. Regardless if you feel they portrayed us, the team or Buffalo accurately, their tone was pretty much respect filled:

Wilbon: If you're a Buffalo Bills fan, it's getting hard to find hope. The Bills are 0-5 and team owner Ralph Wilson has a message for the fans. Quote "Two words. Pain and Patience. P and P." Close quote. Tony, is that a message Bills fans should be receptive to?

Kornheiser: This is Ralph Wilson saying that. He's going to be 92 years old at the end of the week. He built that franchise. He brought in Marv Levy he brought in Jim Kelly, he saved this little big town in Western New York to have a team...

Wilbon: And before that he built it when they won championships early 60s! Right?

Kornheiser: Nobody wants to hear P and P. I've never heard P and P before and I don't ever want to hear it again! But he's a reason there is a team in Buffalo, their fans, they are just going to have to accept that.

Wilbon: If he can wait at 92, when he even says, you know with a sort of wink, that he may not be around to see the revival of the Buffalo Bills and he takes...You know what I like about Ralph Wilson? And when I was covering the league I got to know him a little bit. He doesn't pass stuff off to other people, he comes out and says you know what? I made that decision, if that guy failed, I brought him in, I didn't do a good job bringing him in. It takes accountability. He's doing that here and I think this is very wise.

Kornheiser: These are among the loyalest fans in all of football.

Wilbon: They are.

Kornheiser: And they know that they could lose a team when Ralph Wilson isn't there anymore. They'll be there like they've always been there and they understand that. This is their identity this football team.

over 1 year ago poz 3 comments 2 recs |

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Kornheiser: "These are among the loyalest fans in all of football."

So true.

"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Oct 13, 2010 8:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions