Ryan MillerRochester Democrat and Chronicle
Some NFL teams found nicknames through public contests. Others were named after their mayor (Chiefs), proximity to an airport (Jets), and the colors of used jerseys they purchased (Cardinals).
The Buffalo Bills' name pays homage to a frontiersman named Bill who killed thousands of buffalo and was world-renowned for Wild West shows.
Why is Buffalo's nickname the Bills?
The nickname is a reference to American soldier and frontiersman "Buffalo Bill" Cody. He hunted buffalo to feed construction crews on the Union Pacific Railroad and claimed to have slaughtered 4,280 buffalo.
Who was 'Buffalo Bill' Cody?
William Frederick Cody, known as "Buffalo Bill," was a showman, global celebrity and folk hero through his world-traveling Wild West show that had a cast of hundreds of people. He was a buffalo hunter, U.S. Army scout, actor and self-proclaimed Pony Express rider.
Was 'Buffalo Bill' Cody from the city of Buffalo?
No.
"Buffalo Bill" Cody was born in LeClaire, Iowa, in 1846. He grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas, until he left home at age 11 to work herding cattle and on a wagon train.
How did the Bills come up with the nickname?
The Bills' nickname originated from a Buffalo football franchise that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. The AAFC franchise was called the Bisons in its first year but there were three other Buffalo Bisons teams in the city (a minor league baseball team, professional basketball team, and an American Hockey League team). Owner James Breuil, who owned Frontier Oil Company, wanted to keep a frontier theme to his businesses. He selected the Bills from a public contest that gave $500 to the winning entry.
The current Buffalo Bills adopted the name when they were founded by Ralph Wilson in 1960 as a original member of the American Football League (AFL). Wilson initially wanted a team in Miami but was turned down and his next choice was Buffalo. Wilson chose the nickname on Nov. 30, 1959.
What is the Buffalo Bills team mascot?
It's not "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Billy the Buffalo debuted in 2000 as the official mascot of the team. He's an 8-foot tall American buffalo.
