‘Bills Mafia’ finally joins team’s official family after years of being rebuffed – The Athletic

BUFFALO, N.Y. Stevie Johnson wasnt sure what to think. When informed the Buffalo Bills had applied to trademark Bills Mafia after 10 years, he was autographing a stack of football cards on a coffee table.

Nice! said Johnson, his Sharpie strokes uninterrupted.

The club, he was told, wanted to sell Bills Mafia merchandise 10 years after others had cultivated the brand.

Hold on, Johnson said. He sat upright, stopped signing and gave a sideways glance. I dont know if thats right.

Johnson is Bills Mafias patron saint. He was critical to the phrases 2010 inception. Though the team distanced itself from the organic fan movement when it began, the lone receiver in team history to gain 1,000 yards three consecutive seasons has hailed it from the jump.

Over the past decade and with virtually zero assistance from the team, Bills Mafia has become the...

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'Bills Mafia' finally joins team's official family after years of being rebuffed - The Athletic