Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Over the course of the 2025 football season, WBEN reflected on the legacy and lore of Highmark Stadium in its final season, with a number of current and former players, as well as fans and others with deep connections and memories of the building that played home to the Buffalo Bills since the 1973 season.
The Bills closed out the final season at Highmark Stadium in style on Sunday, dominating the New York Jets, 35-8, in front of a raucous crowd of more than 72,000 members of "Bills Mafia". It will likely be the final game played at the stadium along Abbott Road before the team makes the move across the street to the new Highmark Stadium next year.
For many Bills fans, Sunday's final game at the stadium was an opportunity they could not miss.
"Lots-and-lots of memories here," said Ingrid, in attendance for the game with her sister, Nicole. "My family's had Season Tickets for 45 years, and we sit in those same seats now. We have tons of memories that we're kind of sorting through, I imagine. And excited for the next year, but this is going to be a hard game."
For Chad from Mayville, he thought he had went to his final game last month, but happened to luck into finding a last-minute ticket.
"It's emotional," Chris acknowledged with WBEN. "I'm up here by myself just getting the last game in of the year. It's sad they won't be here for the playoffs, most likely, but we can just move on and make new memories in the new stadium."
Many fans were feeling the emotions of the final game at Highmark Stadium in the hours leading up to the 4:25 p.m. kickoff, knowing this was, more than likely, the final game in Orchard Park this season.
"It's a little sad not to have a home playoff game, because the stakes are higher and the emotions are higher," said Chris from Orchard Park. "Although this game might not matter for much here and this year, but it is important to say goodbye to this chapter of Bills history and be a part of that, and say I was there."
"There will be tears. There are going to be tears of joy and awesomeness, and it's just been one of the only things that we both do for ourselves is coming here," said Nicole with WBEN. "Hoping to relive some of these feelings in the new stadium, but nothing's going to beat 'The Ralph'."
For some Bills fans from out-of-town, getting back to Western New York for the final game at the stadium was a priority.
"I grew up here and used to work at the stadium in 1976, so I saw a lot of great concerts, a lot of bad football," said Toby from Wichita. "And just try to come back every year, and this is just a place that's so near-and-dear to my heart. It's amazing."
"I've been a Season Ticket holder, and this is the one that you just can't miss. Just like next year, the first game of the year, you can't miss that one either," added Brian from Charlotte, N.C. "I think it's going to be an emotional game. A lot of nostalgia, a lot of memories there. It's going to be great to toast the Bills at the end of Highmark, and obviously congratulate them on a great season. And hopefully it continues."
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With the last game at the stadium comes memories flooding back for many fans over the years of cheering for the Bills.
"So many good ones with family and friends. As a kid, I sold peanuts out of my Radio Flyer wagon, but it's been great. All of them have been great," Brian said with WBEN. "Obviously ups-and-downs when it comes to the ending of the season and the Bills in total, but they're the Bills. They're always going to be our team."
For many fans, "The Comeback" is one memory at Highmark Stadium that will live in infamy once the building is torn down.
"We had seen all them people leaving, and for years we would always stay right to the end," said Paul from Portville. "We've seen some really interesting things over the years, but I think that was probably one of the most exciting games I've ever been at."
For other Bills fans, the memories at the stadium are a bit more recent, but memorable nonetheless.
"My favorite memory was Kyle Williams' last game, came here for that. It was fan appreciation all day long, and then he took a victory lap after the game, got to shake the man's hand, thank him for his years of service with the Bills. That's probably my best memory of games here," said Ed from Canadaigua.
"I was here in the Blizzard Game against Indy. That was amazing, 12 rows up and couldn't see the field. I'll always remember that game," Chad added with WBEN.
"The game after Damar [Hamlin] in Cincinnati. When they had the two run backs for the touchdown, everybody was emotional. It was really great to see the team come back after that," Nicole added.
"Sitting in the stadium last year in the end zone and watching Josh Allen run towards us to close the Chiefs out, it was the most amazing thing. And I was there with my daughter, and it was just the best memory ever," Toby interjected.
"The game after Damar in Cincinnati. When they had the two run backs for the touchdown, everybody was emotional. It was really great to see the team come back after that.
And with the memories come the particular players that made many of those moments truly special for Bills fans.
"I'd say as far as my childhood, Fred Jackson, he was very big in the community, did a lot of things, always pushed through. I think we've got a lot of Cinderella stories that came out of Buffalo," Chris said with WBEN. "Whether it was Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson, Kyle Williams, a lot of heart came through Buffalo, and I think it really embodies what this fandom is about."
"Well, of course, there's Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith, that whole era. And went through some of the drought years and saw some Eric Moulds and that too, but for me, Josh Allen is my favorite," Toby said.
"Everybody loves Josh, right? But I'm a huge Dion [Dawkins] fan. I just love what he brings to the team and what he brings to the city, and how much he does for the people around him," Ingrid said.
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