The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers kick-off party at Dundas Square featuring Hedley, Jerome Bettis, Jim Kelly, and more.
August 14, 2008
(Aug 13th) To kick off the first of the Buffalo Bills games to be played in Toronto, The NFL, along with Rogers and EA Sports threw a hugh kick-off bash at Toronto’s famed Dundas Square. Various former Bills and Steelers greats were on hand, signing autographs and chatting it up with fans, including Jerome Bettis, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, and NHL HOF’er Mel Blount.
There was also a great live show by Canadian Rock Band Hedley, as well as various booths and exhibits featuring everything from the new EA Sports Madden ‘09 football game, to area’s where you can show off your passing, kicking, and running skills. USA Today was also on the scene and managed to print this great article on the festivities
So what’s the mood by the locals?“I think there is (anticipation), a little bit, but it’s tempered by two things,” said Mike Zeisberger, who covers the NFL for the Toronto Sun. “The first is the price of the tickets and the fact that a lot of people were turned off thinking this is just a big cash grab. And the second is that it’s an exhibition game. There are tons of NFL fans up here but not necessarily Buffalo Bills fans.”
That was evident at Dundas Square — Toronto’s version of Times Square — where a major-league kickoff party took place in late afternoon. A throng of people decked out in all kinds of NFL colors enjoyed rock music as Bills highlights played on giant video screens and cellphone and video game companies hawked their latest goods.
Bills greats Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Steve Tasker and Steve Christie — along with Pittsburgh legend Jerome Bettis — made appearances and signed autographs.
“I love the Bills no matter what,” said Amy Underwood, 35, of Scarborough, Ont., waiting to snap a picture of any ex-player she could get close enough to.
Underwood is all in favor of the Bills moving north.
“Oh yes,” she said. “It would make it easier for me than going across the border. Come on up.”
Not every football fan in Toronto shares that view.
“I love the Bills but I think they should stay there in Buffalo,” said Jeff Rubinoff, 57, of Richmond Hills, a Toronto suburb. “This is a rip-off for fans with the prices they are charging. And I feel sorry for fans in Buffalo. It’s their team. And even if they don’t move, this is just creating anxiety for everyone. I’m an Argos fan and this is a definite threat. We in Toronto feel threatened, Buffalo feels threatened, and somebody’s making a lot of money off it.”
Christopher Lesko, 39, a construction worker from Toronto and a Bills season ticket holder, prays the team remains in Orchard Park because a move here would shut out average Joes that make up the backbone of fans.
“This city doesn’t deserve the Bills,” said Lesko, decked head to toe in Buffalo gear.
He called tonight’s game “propaganda” for the rich.
“The Bills are my only team, and to me, that blue-collar mentality gives guys like me a reason to cheer. Maple Leafs tickets, you can’t afford them. Toronto sports are for rich people, country clubbers, and that’s not me.”
Neither is Mark Hayward, 22, a Bills season ticket holder from Georgetown, Ont. He was dressed in red-striped pants and wearing a Bills helmet with a blue Mohawk strip. Even with high gas prices, it’s more affordable to attend Bills games in Orchard Park than what they would cost if Toronto ever got the team — or an expansion franchise.
And besides, tailgating would never be the same. There’s an open container law here.
“It’s exciting the Bills are here but I want them to stay down there,” Hayward said “I like the trips to Orchard Park. It wouldn’t be the same here.”
It was jammed packed @ Dundas Square for the kick-off party to tomorrow’s Bills-Steelers game at the Rogers Center.
It was real cool to try out the Madden ‘09 for Xbox Live, I even used the Bills to get in the sprite of this whole “Canada’s Team” theme. It rockked, most definatly a big step up from last years version.
It was also great to see former NFL Stars (and future HOF’ers) Jerome “The Bus” Bettis and Jim Kelly going out of their way to sign for the hundreds of fans.
It was certainly an interesting scene to see Toronto become stricken with buffalo fever for a city that prides itself in being nationalistic. Canadians are really bums. None the less, despite the early rain it was a beautiful day, and the cooperate megabodies were out in full force to take complete and total advantage of that. Good for them
Here is a very unique scene, its beautiful in a non catholic priest love pretext.
Get a load of this guy! Go Toronto Bills!
Dundas Square was packed for this event. Didn’t stay long, as the music was too loud (Hedley Sucks) and the place was too crowded.
I managed to take this shot be4 I left though~!
Here’s Hedley performing “Old School” live at Dundas Square in Toronto for the NFL Buffalo Bills kickoff party!
Here’s Hedley doing Never Too Late…
Last Song: NARCISSIST.
THE BEST HEDLEY VIDEO FROM LAST NIGHT!
There were tons of sexy girls around, including the Buffalo Bill Cheerleaders, The Jills!
More Hotties!
My Fav Pic of the Day!
The Media was out in full force!
and the lines were long…
Steelers Suck! Go back to Pittsburgh!
There was really something for everybody at the kick-off party for the Bills-Steelers game @ the Rogers center tonite….
Here is a really good shot of Buffalo Bills legend, Jim Kelly, meeting and greeting fans.
Final Pic of Jim…
Yo, I was in the crowd so i figured i would record this song and post it on youtube. The camera was a little shaky, but its still watchable. If someone knows the name of this song, let me know.