History is vital in order to understand how we as people arrived at out current circumstances, and sports are no different. As the Buffalo Bills celebrate their fiftieth season, a History of the Buffalo Bills DVD set has been released to cover the highlights and lowlights of those fifty years. Some items seem like a must have for any die-hard fan but consider the following to determine if this DVD is for you.
Buffalo Bills of the American Football League
The DVD’s lineage begins in 1960, when the Bills were formed, and were one of eight teams in the American Football League. Some of the footage includes the team’s championship runs in 1964 and 1965 and touches on some notable players, which include O.J. Simpson, Jack Kemp and Marty Schottenheimer. Footage from War Memorial Stadium, also known as “The Rock Pile” is also highlighted.
Interviews include the likes of the aforementioned Kemp and Simpson, but also include commentary from the late Tim Russert. Former Bills coaches like Lou Saban and Chuck Knox also offer a glimpse back at their time in Western New York. This insight is particularly useful for younger fans who might not even remember the Super Bowl years, much less the Bills of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
NFL Films
Like many accounts, one can put a spin on history, and leave out certain information. For example, the manner in which players and coaches/administrators are portrayed are sometimes the prerogative of the compiler, and this DVD is no exception. For example, certain coaches are portrayed in a negative light, or their shortcomings are padded. More recent coaches like Greg Williams, Mike Mularky and Dick Jauron receive no mention on the DVD.
While some of the material is recent—the Terrell Owens March 7, 2009 signing, for example—much of the commentary that it used is older. Some of the interviews and comments, such as those from Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, are very much dated, and makes the DVD seem dated rather than being a compilation of essentially new material.
Bills AFC Wildcard Comeback and the Music City Miracle
The DVD includes the Bills’ AFC Wildcard game versus the Houston Oilers, in which Frank Reich stood in for an injured Jim Kelly, and led the team to one of the greatest comebacks in pro football history. The game footage includes commentary from Houston Oilers players such as quarterback Warren Moon and former head coach Jack Pardee.
More recent historical coverage includes the quarterback controversy between Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson, which includes “The Music City Miracle” playoff game at Tennessee. Debate from the game, including those that surround former head coach Wade Phillips (the only post-Levy coach to receive any mention on the DVD) but it seems to cover just one side of the controversy rather than offer a well-rounded scenario.
