Keeping the Bills in Buffalo shouldn't be all that matters

Good morning, Buffalo Bills fans! Welcome to today's Morning Joe.

If you've noticed, I haven't said much about the Bills ownership situation. I usually don't chime in on topics that are being covered by Brian or Matt, but as a fan and one of the contributors, I think I should at least give my opinion. I thought about writing something up in the comments section to one of the posts, but I felt that I needed to write more than just a little blurb about the future of our team. At the very least, you will know where I stand on the subject.

There have been a lot of talks lately about potential ownership candidates for the Buffalo Bills. Donald Trump is the most recent billionaire to be listed as a possible suitor. Trump confirmed his interest in an interview with Buffalo News reporter Tim Graham. Trump said that if he is awarded the franchise, he would keep the team in Buffalo. To the delight of many fans on this site and all over the net, Trump buying the team was seen as a positive, as it would ensure that the Bills will be staying in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. We have a guy who is willing to buy the team, and keep our beloved Bills in Buffalo; that is all that matters, right?

No. I'm sorry Bills fans, but I don't share the same sentiments that some of you seem to have about this. Keeping the Bills in Buffalo isn't the only thing that matters to me.

Like many of you, I'm not a fan of the team because of their win/loss record. I'm not going to bore you with the reasons why I'm a fan, because it's not important. What is important is that I need for you to remember the reason why you're a fan, and remain a fan after years of disappointment. Take some time to reflect on all the things that our late owner, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., has done for the NFL, the city of Buffalo, and the Buffalo Bills. Do you want all of those things that he has done to be tarnished? Aren't the Bills reputation and values more important than just keeping them in Buffalo?

We as Bills fans are a unique bunch. We value loyalty, hard work, and integrity. We like to believe that our team is doing things the right way, and we're different from the garbage that's going on with some of the other NFL franchises that are struggling. That sort of dysfunction can and will kill a fan base. Look at Fireman Ed from the Jets; the number one Jets fan of all time has refused to go to Jets games, because of how ownership and management has mismanaged the team. These teams were all rich in tradition and values; now they are the picture of chaos and ineptitude. Is that what you want for the Bills?

As you can gather, I'm not a very big fan of Trump, nor am I a fan of him buying the team regardless of whether or not he keeps the Bills in Buffalo. I have my reasons, none of which I think are appropriate for this site. What is prudent here: I believe if the Bills were to be owned by Trump, the team will be no different - if not worse - than the league's most dysfunctional franchises at present. Is that what we want as fans?

I believe, as a fan base, we have been insecure for a really long time. The idea of the Bills being relocated has been lurking over our heads for years now. This "I'm too ugly, nobody wants me" syndrome has clouded our judgment. We are willing to accept anything or anyone, as long it means that we can keep our team in Buffalo. We are even willing to give up money out of our own pockets (thousands of dollars) to billionaires, interest free, so that we can keep the team in Buffalo. It's time that we start seeing ourselves in a better light.

Can you think of any other fan base that is as loyal as Bills fans? We show up in rain, sleet, or snow after 14 years of missed playoffs. Can you think of any place better to watch a game and tailgate other than Buffalo? So why is it that we are so insecure? The NFL would be foolish to think that moving the Bills to a city like Los Angeles is better than keeping it in Buffalo, where fans are loyal and passionate. We should have higher standards as a fan base, and not blindly accept an offer from the first guy to ask us to the prom. We're better than that. The Bills in Buffalo are a good investment. We don't need to support the wrong type of potential owner as he attempts to buy our team.

If the Bills were to be owned by Donald Trump, I'm done as a Bills fan. I'd rather the team leave Buffalo if that was my only option. At least, I would know that my team did it the right way before they moved. I'd rather us die on our feet than live on our knees.