"The Ralph" ain't so nasty anymore
Written: Jan 13 '00
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Pros: Clean, comfortable, family environment. Very safe. Excellent parking.
Cons: Expensive beer ($4.50). Almost too nice for an outdoor football stadium
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| ziprz's Full Review: Ralph Wilson Stadium |
Go to Ralph Wilson Stadium these days and what you'll get is some good, clean, family fun. This stadium has gone upscale this year to match a growing trend in the sports venue business; adding luxury suites, and a stadium club for those who want to conduct business at the game, or who don't want to "brave the elements".
I think "upscale" has taken a little of the flavor out of what used to be the most raucous, rowdy, exciting experience you could get for the money. It used to be that the Bills would fill the stadium with 80,000+ screaming, ravenous fans. As Van Miller, the team's radio host would say, "Fandemonium!" The 12th man was known for its fights, snow balls, and beer. The mens bathrooms in the stadium were famous for "those sinks that people urinate in". Rich Stadium was the nastiest stadium in the NFL for the visiting team to come to (just ask Bryan Cox), but I guess you could say it was a pretty nasty place for the more subdued NFL fan as well.
This year I attended a game at Ralph Wilson stadium and was completely surprised by how behaved everyone was. Security is omnipresent. Even the glint of sun off of a beer can brought in from outside the stadium will lead you on a one way ticket out of there. Albeit with a chant of Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye from nearby "supporters". Don't even think of starting a fight. I highly doubt there will ever be another time when the stadium's goalposts are torn down like in our first Super Bowl run. That would take D-Day like planning to overcome the wall of guards on the field. Beer isn't sold after the 3rd quarter, so in theory there is a far reduced risk of intoxication during and after the game. I didn't even see anyone urinating in the sinks. Amazing!
Not only are the fans more subdued now by the forces that be, but the stadium itself by its design is now less nasty of a place for the players to play. Closing in the other endzone with club seating has made the swirling Buffalo wind less of a factor on the field, especially in the kicking game. The remodel also removed around 8,000 seats which means 8,000 less rowdy fans, and even less noise if you consider how many people are sitting inside behind glass in heated seats.
Buffalo, a town that prides itself on the working class, has made its blue collar football team's stadium into a white collar paradise. I give credit to the Bills franchise for doing what it took to keep the team in Buffalo. No one has an excuse not to go to the games anymore. It is a wonderful family experience. I just wish it were still a place where the 12th man could jar another team as bad as the Adelphia Coliseum jolted the Bills this year to end their season.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: Busy But Manageable
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Epinions.com ID:
ziprz
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Member: Kris Rzepkowski
Location: Naperville, IL
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 8 members
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