Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A couple of years ago, the National Football League started a campaign to nominate one lucky fan from all 32 fanbases as their team's "Fan of the Year". They'd then have the chance to be honored by the NFL as the Fan of the Year for the season at the NFL Honors.
In 2022, the nominee for the Buffalo Bills' Fan of the Year was John Lang, or, as many people famously know him as, Bills Elvis.
This year's Fan of the Year representing the Bills is none other than co-founder of "Bills Mafia" and 26 Shirts, Del Reid.
Back in November, the Bills announced Reid as their Fan of the Year in 2023, utilizing some help from longtime wide receiver Stevie Johnson to help reveal the honor.
Three months later, Reid is preparing to head to Las Vegas for not just NFL Honors on Thursday, but also Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
"It's honestly a huge honor to be able to represent Bills fandom to the NFL world in Las Vegas this weekend, and just really excited," said Reid in an interview with WBEN. "The Super Bowl was always a bucket list item for me, and I think the only way I was ever going to get there was through some kind of a unique opportunity like this. Obviously I wish the Bills were there with me this weekend, but it wasn't meant to be. It is what it is, but my wife and I, were looking forward to having a fun time and meeting a lot of new people."
While many people already know who Reid is for his role in helping create "Bills Mafia", he admits it's been weird hearing others recognize him and calling him out as the team's Fan of the Year.
"I became a little bit more recognizable, at least at the Bills games, because so many people there are dialed into everything that goes on with the team," Reid said. "There's been a few times where I've been walking through the concourse and somebody goes, 'Fan of the Year!', which is kind of cool and, l guess, weird and surreal. But it's just been really fun."
Reid will be one of 32 total Fan of the Year nominees around the NFL in Las Vegas this upcoming weekend, but has actually had the pleasure of interacting with a few other Fans of the Year from teams this year.
"When the Bills play the Cowboys, the Dallas Fan of the Year [Shaun Polite] came up to the game, and we went out that Friday night and got wings, just got to shoot the breeze with him a little bit, figure out what his experience is like. I also had a FaceTime with the Pittsburgh Fan of the Year [David Bogo] before the playoff game. And I actually already knew the Green Bay Fan of the Year [Tom Grossi], because we had done a project together over the summer," Reid said. "Really looking forward to meeting some of these new people, or seeing people that I've met in the past. It's really cool."
When Reid arrives in Las Vegas on Thursday, he says the NFL has provided all the Fans of the Year with an itinerary.
"That Thursday, we're flying in, that night is the NFL Honors, where they announce a bunch of things, probably least important is the Fan of the Year, but we'll be a part of those awards that are given out. That's where they'll announce the NFL Fan of the Year," Reid detailed. "Then there's a party, it was either Friday or Saturday night, that's for the Fans of the Year or that's the main point of the party. It's gonna be a whirlwind couple of days, so we're just looking forward to it."
Reid joked that the least exciting part of his upcoming trip to Las Vegas this weekend is seeing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs playing in another Super Bowl.
What would it mean for Reid if he hears his name called on Thursday as the NFL's Fan of the Year for 2023? Reid says it would be a very humbling experience.
"It's funny, when the Bills told me I was the team Fan of the Year, I thought that was it. And then a few minutes later, 'Oh, and then you're gonna find out if you're the NFL Fan of the Year.' And honestly, I was like, '... cool...'," he said. "I mean, it'll be awesome, but at the same time, I'm a Bills fan. I don't care. To be the Bills' Fan of the Year is more than enough for me.
"I don't care if I'm the NFL Fan of the Year or not. The Buffalo Bills are the best team, the most important team in that league, in my mind. I've already won the most important honor. Anything else is just gravy, but I'm just so honored to be the representative for the Buffalo Bills. It's really cool."
Reid adds whoever wins Bills Fan of the Year for the 2024 season, he hopes they get the chance to see the team play in-person at the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LIX is set to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana.