'We're in a free country!' Buffalo Bills fan baffled after security says he can't wear 'Trump 2024' shirt inside stadium



Fans at a Buffalo Bills NFL game on Sunday were shocked when they were told that no political clothing could be worn inside the venue.

During a 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins, fans were approached by a stadium official who told them a "Trump 2024" shirt was prohibited.

Video was posted online showing the fan's shirt — which also sported the "America First" slogan — and his interaction with a security official.

'It's not a "Trump shirt." It's nothing political.'

The exchange picks up already in progress, with one fan heard off-screen saying, "[It's] NFL policy that he can't wear his Trump shirt?"

"100% false!" another fan chimed in..

"It's not a 'Trump shirt.' It's nothing political," a man in sunglasses and a headset tells the fans.

The security guard was wearing a shirt that read "Allied Universal," which is listed online as a facility services company.

"So according to the NFL policy, you cannot wear anything political at all?" a shocked fan repeated back.

"We're in a free country!" another fan also yelled in disagreement.

It turns out that while there is no NFL policy regarding political speech or clothing, the Bills home venue, Highmark Stadium, does indeed have its own policy.

According to the stadium guide, "Clothing or material with profane language or obscene graphics or anything political in nature" is prohibited from the venue.

This rule also extends to signs and graphics.

Until very recently, the stadium guide differed from the generic "gate entry and permitted items" page, which listed only "clothing or material with profane language or obscene graphics."

However, during the writing of this article, that page was updated to include "anything political in nature" and now matches the stadium guide.

The NFL's fan code of conduct does not appear to prohibit fans from wearing clothing with political messages but does prevent players from wearing political statements on their uniform or helmet.

"The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages ... which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns," the NFL rulebook states.

This does not appear to cover a recent incident with San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. Bosa crashed a post-game interview sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat, causing his teammates to burst into laughter.

Bosa later explained he felt it was "an important time" to promote the message.

Similarly, 49ers offensive lineman Jon Feliciano defended a recent Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. Feliciano said that he didn't believe critics were actually outraged when they claimed certain jokes told at the rally were offensive.

Trump, Elon Musk, and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell have all appeared at recent NFL games to promote Trump's presidential candidacy.

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Tom Brady triggers woke viewers with 'ableist slur' when describing Bills QB Josh Allen's play style



Tom Brady caused a stir with fans and media members who took offense to him using the term "spaz" when describing the way Josh Allen used to play.

Brady was in the commentary booth with announcer Kevin Burkhardt during the Buffalo Bills’ 31-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon. It was only about 13 minutes into the game when the former player started to rain praise on Buffalo's star quarterback.

"You really begin to take total ownership of the team as a leader in the workouts, in the offseason," Brady said on Fox.

"How you communicate to everybody and integrate new players becomes a great challenge to a quarterback like Josh [Allen] who has really lit the league on fire since he's been in the league."

'Sometimes he played like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high.'

Then, Brady remarked on how Allen previously looked spastic or uncontrolled when he first came into the NFL but has greatly progressed since then.

"Sometimes he played like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high, but now he's controlled the chaos. He's like a storm coming into town and you don’t want that storm coming into this town."

Brady's seemingly harmless comments, which co-host Burkhardt even chuckled at, were not taken likely by some viewers.

Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes called the statement an example of an "insulting term" that has been "deemed wildly offensive."

The writer added that the comment was an "ableist slur" and "meant as an insult."

The outlet's own readers overwhelmingly disagreed, calling the article "pathetic" while labeling the writer "the word police."

One reader joked that Brady should be put in jail for his use of the term while another reader simply called the writer a "blogging spaz."

Of course, other fans — responding on an X post — suggested muting their television whenever Brady speaks.

"Brady’s awful, mute the TV awful," one viewer wrote.

"Thankful for the mute button," another said.

Brady’s awful, mute the TV awful.
— Miguel de Unamuno (@unamuno1898) October 28, 2024

"Brady is so cringe. He probably spent 45 minutes writing this out," a fan theorized while another simply wrote "F U Tom Brady."

F U Tom Brady
— Tiffany Kear (@tiffunny33) October 28, 2024

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has made the media rounds since his retirement and has been featured in both the broadcast booth and a weekly roundup show for Fox Sports.

When Brady visited England to support Birmingham City, a soccer team he owns a minority share of, the former quarterback showed he indeed has a little bit of bite to his commentary.

Brady was clearly irritated when a Sky Sports reporter asked Birmingham chairman Tom Wagner about how Brady has been able to help the team. The only problem was Brady was standing right there.

"Why do you ask that like I'm not here?" Brady said, giving the interview an incredibly-awkward turn.

Brady has hinted multiple times in 2024 that he isn't opposed to a comeback in football, however that would now be far more difficult since he is now a part of the Las Vegas Raiders ownership group.

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Companies are pulling back on ‘Pride’ — is it an election-time conspiracy?



As Pride Month nears its end, Allie Beth Stuckey has made an interesting observation.

“None of the businesses I frequent have Pride stuff out this year. Most of them did last year. One in particular had a whole rainbow apparel display — this year, nothing. Anyone else see the same thing?” Stuckey wrote in a post on X.

Even Target has stopped selling Pride apparel in many of its stores. Stuckey received a photo from one of her followers of patriotic red, white, and, blue merchandise for sale at the retail giant instead of the rainbow-slogan-adorned T-shirts and children's clothes they were pushing last year.

“It actually had a sign instead that was a patriotic, red, white, and blue sign that said, you know, ‘Thank you for your service.’ It was a message to veterans, which I think is incredible,” Stuckey explains.

“I think that is really interesting,” she adds, noting that it could be a sign of something bigger and better.

“Some people are saying, well, it’s an election year, and so they’re trying to not scare people away because it is just so in your face to the point where even centrists are like, ‘Ok, can we not, does everything have to be gay in June, can’t something just, like, be neutral?’” Stuckey says.

"And so some people are saying, ‘Oh, you know it’s a conspiracy or it’s an organized effort to try to tone it down this year so people don’t freak out before the election,’” she adds.

However, she doesn’t buy it.

“That may be true, but I doubt that all of these local businesses and some of the businesses that I’ve been in, that they’re all part of some grand organized effort to tone down Pride in an election year,” she says, noting that she has her own theory as to why companies have toned it down.

“I really think it’s because of the push back and the backlash, I really do, and I think that’s a great thing,” she says.


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Buffalo Bills support creation of National Gay Flag Football League chapter in Buffalo



The Buffalo Bills NFL team is supplying a sponsorship for the launch of a Buffalo chapter of the National Gay Flag Football League.

"We are excited to join the NFL and other Clubs across the league in their support of the NGFFL," Buffalo Bills vice president of Community Impact Michelle Roberts said, according to post on the team's website. "Through our sponsorship, we are looking forward to expanding the impact of the NGFFL in our community."

"We are thrilled to bring inclusive flag football to Buffalo with the support of the Buffalo Bills. This exciting addition joins 27 other cities, and over 4,000 players, including straight allies, in the National Gay Flag Football League," NGFFL commissioner Joel Horton noted, according to the post.

'The NFL stands by the LGBTQ+ community today and every day.'

The NFL has a history of promoting the LGBT movement.

Last year, the NFL stated on Instagram that it "is proud to work with the National Gay Flag Football League to promote respect and acceptance for all, and to grow the game of football at every level."

In 2021, the NFL declared in a tweet that it "stands by the LGBTQ+ community today and every day." That post included a video that features messages declaring "FOOTBALL IS GAY," as well as "LESBIAN," "TRANSGENDER," "BISEXUAL," and more. "FOOTBALL IS FOR EVERYONE," text in the video reads before a rainbow NFL logo is displayed.

Earlier this year, ahead of the Super Bowl, the league hosted an event with GLAAD, a pro-LGBT advocacy group.

"Our Third Annual A Night of Pride with GLAAD is yet another strong step to accelerating acceptance and demonstrating the NFL's unwavering support of the LGBTQ community," NFL senior vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, said, according to a press release issued in January prior to the February event.

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Super Bowl champion Chiefs sign punter Matt Araiza after female dropped rape suit against him; accusation cost him 2 seasons



The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have signed punter Matt Araiza after a female dropped a rape lawsuit against him in December. The Buffalo Bills cut Araiza days after the suit was filed in August 2022 — his rookie season — and he's been out of the NFL ever since. He's always maintained his innocence.

"I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the @Chiefs," Araiza said in a statement released through his agent, ESPN reported. "I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support. I am excited to begin the next phase of my career with the Super Bowl Champs!"

Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March, ESPN said, adding that Townsend was a first-team All-Pro and chosen for the 2022 Pro Bowl.

What's the background?

Araiza was nicknamed “the Punt God” at San Diego State, where he averaged 51.19 yards per punt during the 2021 college season, an NCAA single-season record, the Buffalo News said, adding that he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best college punter.

Araiza appeared to have won the punting job during the Buffalo Bills' 2022 training camp, but the team cut him two days after the rape accusation. Araiza had signed a four-year contract with the Bills that would have been worth $3.8 million had he played all four years of the deal, the Buffalo News said. Araiza ended up missing the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office concluded that Araiza could not have been part of the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old in October 2021 because he left the off-campus party at least an hour before the incident allegedly occurred. While Araiza said he and his accuser had consensual sex outside the house earlier in the evening, he said he never entered the home, ESPN noted, adding that the district attorney's office couldn't prove Araiza knew the accuser's age or intoxication level. Prosectors announced in December 2022 that they wouldn't press any criminal charges against Araiza. San Diego State University said in May there were no findings against Araiza after investigating allegations of rape and gang rape, ESPN also said.

In conjunction with his accuser — called Jane Doe — dropping her lawsuit against him, Araiza agreed to dismiss a defamation suit against her filed in July 2023, ESPN said in a separate report.

Araiza's lawyers, Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush, said in a statement that Araiza always has maintained his innocence and that he will never get back the time spent defending himself from the accusations, ESPN added.

"Thankfully, there was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt's voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit," the statement said, according to ESPN. "Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed."

Bills took different approach with different player

About a week before the rape lawsuit against Araiza was dismissed, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said linebacker Von Miller — accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend — was available to play in a game against the Chiefs while the legal process proceeded.

"We only have so many of the facts," Beane said in a press conference in regard to Miller. "If you look around this country, you see plenty of rushes to judgment. ... We're just trying to do the right thing."

— (@)

In regard to the Bills releasing Araiza days after the rape accusation, Beane at the time said it “was the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation," the Buffalo News reported.

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Buffalo Bills kicker deletes social media over threats after missing game-tying field goal in playoffs



Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass reportedly deleted his social media accounts after he was alleged to have received online threats for missing a game-tying field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bass' X and Instagram accounts were nowhere to be found following the divisional playoff game during which the NFL kicker missed a field goal wide right, while his team was losing 27-24 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

Bass reportedly deleted his accounts, NBC News reported, after the player received threatening remarks for missing the kick.

The alleged abuse prompted a local cat adoption group to raise money on behalf of Bass, coming to his defense in a Facebook post.

"WE STAND WITH TYLER BASS. DON’T BULLY OUR FRIEND[.] We just heard the terrible news that Tyler Bass is receiving threats after yesterday’s game and our phones are ringing off the hook from people who want to donate $22 to Ten Lives Club in Tyler’s name," the Ten Lives Club reportedly wrote on Facebook.

"Tyler doesn’t deserve any of the hate he’s receiving. He’s an excellent football player and an even better person who took the time to help our organization and rescue cats last year. Leave our friend alone," the group added.

Sports writer Joe Pompliano noted that the group soon raised a record-setting amount in the 48 hours following the field goal attempt.

"After missing a game-tying kick on Sunday, Bills kicker Tyler Bass deactivated his social media accounts. But fans have responded by donating over $100,000 to Ten Lives Club — a cat adoption center near Buffalo. It's the most money they've ever raised in a 48-hour period," Pompliano wrote on X.

After missing a game-tying kick on Sunday, Bills kicker Tyler Bass deactivated his social media accounts. \n\nBut fans have responded by donating over $100,000 to Ten Lives Club \u2014 a cat adoption center near Buffalo.\n\nIt's the most money they've ever raised in a 48-hour period.
— (@)

The Buffalo team has unfortunately had an epic history when it comes to missed field goals.

Kicker Scott Norwood missed the "shot heard round the world" during the 1991 Super Bowl against the New York Giants. The Bills lost that game 20-19.

That missed kick was further immortalized in the Jim Carrey comedy "Ace Ventura." While the storyline was focused on a fictional Miami Dolphins kicker (while using the likeness of a real player), the plot was based on the missed Norwood field goal and even referred to as the "kick heard 'round the world" in the film.

The Bills went on to lose the next three Super Bowls, marking an infamous four straight Super Bowl losses that no team has replicated. No team has even lost three in a row; however, the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have both lost back-to-back championship games.

THE KOREAN BROADCAST CALL OF THE TYLER BASS WIDE RIGHT MISS WAS ELECTRIC. \n\nIt would be nice if we could get this more on our broadcast
— (@)

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FACT CHECK: No, Buffalo Bills Fans Were Not Detained For Hijacking Sound System At Taylor Swift Concert

The original footage shows Swift reacting to cheers, not music.

Buffalo Bills fans digging out their snow-buried stadium appear to be having a winter blast



Buffalo Bills fans were hooting and hollering at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday, despite mountains of snow, whiteout conditions, and an absence of players on the field.

The Buffalo Bills were supposed to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday in the AFC wild-card game, but Mother Nature had plans of her own. A winter storm, characterized as "potentially dangerous and life-threatening" by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, swept the region, burying the city — and its stadium — in snow.

— (@)

"Blizzard-like, whiteout conditions are possible, especially Saturday night and much of Sunday, and wind chills are forecast to dip into the single digits on Saturday night and remain there through mid-week," said the governor's office. "Travel in these areas will be difficult to impossible at times, and New Yorkers are urged to pay close attention to the weather and make plans accordingly to stay safe, especially those planning to attend Sunday’s Buffalo Bills' game."

As of Monday morning, Buffalo had received nearly a foot of snow, whereas other spots in Erie County, including Orchard Park, where the Bills' stadium stands, received far more, reported WGRZ-TV.

Hochul called the NFL and recommended the rescheduling of the Bills-Steelers game.

"I've been in communication with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the dangerous conditions in Buffalo this weekend," Hochul said during a press conference Sunday. "In consultation with our emergency response teams, Buffalo Bills leadership, and the NFL, the Bills game will be postponed."

Snow may be cited as justification to indefinitely postpone competitions in kindler and gentler sports, but not in football. Despite the state of emergency, the Bills-Steelers playoff game was rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday.

To ensure that there will be room for frozen bodies in the stands amidst all the snow and ice, the Bills began paying fans to shovel the stadium, capping the number of volunteers at 200.

The Bills put out the call Sunday evening "asking anyone age 18 and over (or under 18 with proper working papers) interested in shoveling snow inside the stadium" to show up at midnight to begin work for $20 an hour. The team also promised complimentary beverages and breakfast in the morning.

To sweeten the deal, Erie County and the state authorized prospective shovelers to travel to the stadium before it opens to the public.

It appears some shovelers are having a winter blast.

A viral video shows one fan tearing off his shirt then sliding down a culvert intended for snow down to the field.

"Oh hell no," says a nearby observer, chuckling over the display. "That's crazy! That's f***ing crazy!"

— (@)
— (@)

Others involved in the cleanup effort did not appear so keen to expose flesh to the elements.

Snug in multiple layers, storm chaser Logan Eschrich noted in a video Sunday that shovelers were having trouble keeping up with the storm.

— (@)

While most of the travel ban in Erie County had been lifted by early Monday morning, County Executive Mark Poloncarz indicated Orchard Park remained a "no man's land," reported the Buffalo News.

Given the low visibility, icy conditions, and high winds, Monday's game will likely be decided by runs and fumbles.

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Female who accused NFL punter of rape drops lawsuit against him. Anger boils over at accuser and Buffalo Bills, who cut him.



The female who accused then-NFL punter Matt Araiza of rape in August 2022 — an allegation that led the Buffalo Bills to cut him two days later, halting his career — has dropped her lawsuit against him.

Now anger is boiling over at the accuser and the Bills.

What are the details?

His lawyers, Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush, said in a statement that Araiza has always maintained his innocence and that he will never get back the time spent defending himself from the accusations, ESPN reported.

"Thankfully, there was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt's voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit," the statement said, according to ESPN. "Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed."

His lawyers said Araiza fully intends to return to the NFL, ESPN added.

Araiza was nicknamed “the Punt God” at San Diego State, where he averaged 51.19 yards per punt during the 2021 college season, an NCAA single-season record, the Buffalo News said, adding that he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best college punter.

Araiza appeared to have won the punting job during the Bills' 2022 training camp, but the team cut him soon after the rape accusation. Araiza had signed a four-year contract with the Bills that would have been worth $3.8 million had he played all four years of the deal, the Buffalo News said.

He missed the 2022 season and the current season.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office concluded that Araiza could not have been part of the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old in October 2021 because he left the off-campus party at least an hour before the incident allegedly occurred. While Araiza said he and his accuser had consensual sex outside the house earlier in the evening, he said he never entered the home, ESPN noted, adding that the district attorney's office couldn't prove Araiza knew the accuser's age or intoxication level. Prosectors announced in December 2022 that they wouldn't press any criminal charges against Araiza. San Diego State University said in May there were no findings against Araiza after investigating allegations of rape and gang rape, ESPN also said.

'She should be charged with a crime'

In the wake of Araiza's accuser dropping her lawsuit against him, a number of voices have risen up in anger at her, the Bills, and the NFL.

  • "She should be charged with a crime for lying about sexual assault and face the same punishment that Araiza would have faced," OutKick's Clay Travis said.
  • "The NFL owes @matt_araiza an apology. The Bills owe him back pay. And Punt God must be brought back to the league!" Greg Price declared.
  • "Matt Araiza is 100% innocent and did absolutely nothing wrong," Nick Adams said. "His dishonest accuser should be the one facing criminal charges."
  • "I legit feel for this kid," author Jeff Pearlman said in reference to Araiza.
  • "Haven’t we learned not to rush to judgment?" OutKick's Dan Dakich asked. "Too many cases tell us let the investigation take place before condemnation."

In conjunction with his accuser — called Jane Doe — dropping her lawsuit against him, Araiza agreed to dismiss a defamation suit against her filed in July 2023, ESPN said.

More from the news network:

Doe retains the right to continue the suit against the four other named defendants, former San Diego State teammates of Araiza. No money will be exchanged in the settlement agreement. Araiza also maintains the ability to sue the plaintiff's attorney, Dan Gilleon, and his law office, and he has retained counsel to do so.

ESPN said Gilleon did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Bills taking different approach with different player

Interestingly, Bills general manager Brandon Beane last week said linebacker Von Miller — accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend — was available to play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs while the team let the legal process proceed.

"We only have so many of the facts," Beane said in a press conference in regard to Miller. "If you look around this country, you see plenty of rushes to judgment. ... We're just trying to do the right thing."

— (@)

In regard to the Bills releasing Araiza days after the rape accusation, Beane at the time said it “was the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation," the Buffalo News reported.

Araiza Lawsuits Dismissed youtu.be

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NFL head coach used 9/11 terrorists as model of exemplary teamwork, and now he's apologizing



Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is apologizing after using the 9/11 terrorists an an example of exemplary teamwork.

During the Buffalo Bills' fall training camp in 2019, McDermott urged his team to "come together" using the "strange model" of the al-Qaeda terrorists who attacked America, NFL journalist Tyler Dunne revealed this week.

Dunne explained:

He told the entire team they needed to come together. But then, sources on hand say, he used a strange model: the terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. He cited the hijackers as a group of people who were all able to get on the same page to orchestrate attacks to perfection. One by one, McDermott started asking specific players in the room questions. "What tactics do you think they used to come together?" A young player tried to methodically answer. "What do you think their biggest obstacle was?" A veteran answered, "TSA," which mercifully lightened the mood.

McDermott, according to Dunne, apologized to his team later in the day for using the example.

At a press conference on Thursday, McDermott said he "regretted mentioning 9/11 in my message" that day and recounted the apology he shared with his team four years ago.

"I brought everybody together and said 'This was the goal, this was the intent, and I apologize if anyone whatsoever felt a certain type of way coming out of that meeting. If anyone misinterpreted or didn’t understand my message, I apologize,'" he said. "I didn’t do a good enough job of communicating clearly the intent of my message. That was about the importance of communication and that everyone needs to be on the same page, ironically enough. So that was important to me then and still is now."

Sean McDermott: "This is Important to Me" | Buffalo Bills www.youtube.com

On Friday, McDermott addressed Dunne's extensive article, which doesn't paint him in flattering light. He called the article "hurtful" and "an attack on my character."

"I know who I am," McDermott said at a press conference. "I know how I try to do things. Am I without flaw? No, I’m not without flaw and I say that humbly. I believe we try and do things right here. It doesn’t mean that everything we do is right, people are going to have their own opinions."

The article is not expected to have any impact on McDermott's job, according to NBC Sports.

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