Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Over the course of the 2025 football season, WBEN will reflect 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 has played home of the Buffalo Bills since the 1973 season.
While plenty of memories have already been made over the 52-year history of Highmark Stadium, there is still plenty of room for more to be made in the final season. This memorable moment came in a Week 5 loss on "Sunday Night Football", but it certainly was more light-hearted.
Early in the third quarter and with the Bills driving for a go-ahead touchdown, Josh Allen rolled out to his right in an attempt to extend the play. However, the Bills quarterback ended up throwing the ball away, with the pass sailing into the front row of the stands.
Right there in the front row to catch the pass was Bills fan Brian Kemp.
"The first thing in my mind was, 'Alright, is he gonna throw it? Is it gonna come over here?' Obviously it did, and I wound up catching it. First thing in my mind after that point was, 'Geez, here we go. I gotta go. I got to get out of here,'" said Kemp in an interview with WBEN. "I told my wife immediately, 'I'll meet you at the car,' which is what we've discussed for a couple seasons now. And next thing I know, I'm halfway up the staircase and heading to the concourse to get out of dodge, basically."
Most Bills fans can only ever dream about the idea of catching a pass from Allen, but Kemp was able to live that dream, even if it was unintended. He admits it was an amazing and epic experience to catch that ball.
"It was hard. The dude, we all know, has a huge arm, probably the biggest and the best in the NFL. I think we'd all agree here on that. And it was just amazing. It was a hard throw," Kemp said. "Can't believe that I was able to catch it with cowbells and the towel in my hand. Just happy that I was able to complete the reception."
While Kemp was unable to keep the actual football that Allen threw away, he gives the credit to his wife, Tara, for her efforts to coordinate with some Erie County Sheriff's deputies they know, as well as event staff the NFL or the Bills.
"I wasn't there at the seat at the time, but she did a rock star job, able to obtain a ball or get a ball prepared to swap out," Kemp explained. She gave me a call when I was up outside near the gate, contemplating going back to my seat, contemplating leaving, really trying to make that final decision. And she said on the telephone - which was crazy, because the reception, I think, every fan knows is lackluster at best - but I got the call, and she said, 'We've got some Sheriff's officers here, they have a ball for you. They want to swap it out.'"
It wasn't until Kemp got home before he heard the play-by-play call of his catch and getaway attempt from NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico. He says he loved the play-by-play of him running up the steps and making his quick exit from Highmark Stadium.
"First thought was, 'Geez, look at me running.' When you see yourself, not realizing you're on camera - or even if you are on camera and you are aware - first inclination is, 'What am I doing? Look at the way that I'm running.' And second reaction was, 'Oh my God, this is hilarious. What a great commentary.' It was just so funny, such a great job," Kemp said.
So what's next for the football?
"The next thing that's going to happen to the football is it's going to be sent down to my friend, Tim. He lives in Ohio, he's a Season Ticket holder since 1999. He does not have a game ball, hasn't had his hands on a game ball the entire time while owning these tickets. This one's for him," Kemp said.
When asked about his moment being one of the final memories of the current Highmark Stadium, Kemp admits it's a bit of a humbling experience.
"I think it'll be a memory that I have until the day that I leave this earth, probably as well as my wife. Hopefully it's a prelude to a great season, the best finish that the Buffalo Bills could ask for. Just an epic thing," he said.
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Kemp has been a Bills fans since the early '90s as the heights of the team's Super Bowl years in Orchard Park. Highmark Stadium holds a special place in Kemp's heart.
"Way back when, years ago in the '90s, the World University Games came to Rich Stadium, I believe it was at that point in time. My mom took myself and some other family members to those games, so I have memories from that. Memories from when the Sabres played here, memories of other Bills games when we were in the drought," Kemp said. "It's a great place, I'm going to miss it a lot. And I think the fans helped to make it what it is now."
Kemp also has some deeper connections to Highmark Stadium that he shares with his wife.
"My wife and I also, as Canisius College alum, worked here like a lot of the organizations do, to try to fundraise. We were behind the scenes cooking hot dogs, carting food to the different concession stands. I also kind of have a backside view of everything," he noted. "We were able to take a tour here not too long ago, we were able to see some of the locker rooms, see the press room. That kind of cemented just how special this place is, seeing the working bones of of the stadium."
When it comes to other memories shared with his family and members of "Bills Mafia" at Highmark Stadium, Kemp has enjoyed the recent years of success in Orchard Park.
"We've had several players jump up on us. Dalton Kincaid's first touchdown reception, they jumped on us. Dawson Knox, Jordan Poyer, an old neighbor of ours Rasul Douglas, just to name a few," Kemp recalled. "And the Micah Hyde interception, that crazy over-the-shoulder interception, we were there for that. It was just outstanding, that extremely cold game against the Patriots. 'The Perfect Game.' The Damar Hamlin game - so glad that he's doing better - when Nyheim Hines had the two touchdowns returns. I'm getting goosebumps now talking about it. So many great memories that are going to be written in the pages of the history of Rich Stadium, Highmark Stadium, Ralph Wilson Stadium, it's just a great place."
Another key memory of Highmark Stadium for Kemp was when he ran the Bills 5k and ended the run with the 50-yard finish. He says it was Bills legend Stevie Johnson who picked up his daughter when she was little, and crossed the finish line while she was on his shoulders.
And in the time that remains for the Bills playing at Highmark Stadium this season, there's only one outcome Kemp is hoping for.
"I'd like to see the Bills succeed, and finally bring home the Lombardi," he said. "I think the final season at Highmark here would be a fitting tribute and a fitting end to the life of the season. And something that our favorite players and our leaders of the past teams were unfortunately unable to do the four times that we were able to make it, still hold the NFL record to do that. So if they were able to do that, I think that would just be outstanding, and definitely set the old Highmark Stadium on a pedestal."
Meanwhile, Kemp is already eager to get into the new stadium and await the next pass from Allen to come his way.
"Just to be able to see the newness of it. To see the attractions, to see the field view, to be able to experience a new atmosphere and a new home that all of our Bills family can enjoy together," Kemp added.
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