History and Controversy Around the Iconic "Let's Go Buffalo" Flag of Bills Mafia

The Origin and Meaning of the "Let's Go Buffalo" Flag

The "Let's Go Buffalo" flag has become an iconic symbol representing the spirit and camaraderie of Buffalo Bills fans, affectionately known as Bills Mafia. This distinctive blue flag with bold white lettering has been proudly waved at Bills games and events for over a decade now.

So where did this flagship slogan come from and what's the story behind it? Let's take a closer look at the history and meaning of the "Let's Go Buffalo" flag.

Created By Bills Fans

The flag was created organically by Bills fans, not the team or an official merchandising partner. The exact origins are unclear, but it seems to have first emerged in the late 2000s, around 2007-2008. Several different fans and groups appear to have printed the first flags independently of each other.

The phrase "Let's Go Buffalo" had been used by Bills fans as a chant and rallying cry during games for many years prior. Fans simply wanted a visual embodiment of this slogan to wave and display their Bills pride. The flag creation was a grassroots effort driven by dedicated members of Bills Mafia.

Repping Bills Mafia

"Bills Mafia" was not an official name but a nickname that emerged in the early 2010s to describe the wild, passionate and somewhat crazy Bills fanbase. The Let's Go Buffalo flag has become a signature symbol of Bills Mafia fan culture.

Waving the flag is a way for Bills fans to represent their city, their team and their mafia. It shows they are loud, proud and actively cheering on the Bills to victory.

Rallying Cry

The phrase "Let's Go Buffalo" is a classic sports chant to cheer on your team. It encapsulates the raucous energy and spirit of Bills fans. The flag's bold font and simple design helps the message come across loud and clear.

When fans wave the flag at home games, it helps boost crowd energy and encourages the team to keep fighting. The sea of waving flags creates an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents at Highmark Stadium.

City Pride

The Let's Go Buffalo slogan represents pride in the city itself. Buffalo is known as a hardworking, gritty, blue-collar city. Bills fans wave the flag to showcase their Buffalo hometown pride.

Despite economic downturns and national stereotypes about snowy Buffalo, Bills Mafia stays loyal to their beloved city. The flag is a symbol of resilience and optimism about Buffalo's future.

Bills Playoff Runs

The flag became especially popular during the Bills' exciting playoff runs in the late 2010s. The electric playoff atmospheres at Highmark Stadium featured the Let's Go Buffalo flag waving proudly amid raucous standing crowds.

Bills Mafia brought the flags in massive numbers during the 2017 playoff run that ended the long postseason drought. The flags were also prominently featured during the 2020 and 2021 playoff runs that brought Bills fever back to Western New York.

LETS GO BUFFALO Chant at Games

You can't talk about the Let's Go Buffalo flag without mentioning the signature chant Bills Mafia bellows out at home games. The chant is typically initiated in the parking lots by fans pumping themselves up pregame. It carries over to the stadium, where LETS GO BUFFALO is spelled out in giant letters across the endzone.

During pivotal defensive possessions, one fan will inevitably start loudly chanting "LETS! GO! BUFFALO!" Then the chant builds momentum throughout the crowd, reaching deafening volumes. The chant galvanizes Bills Mafia to make life miserable for the opposing offense.

The simple, straightforward chant perfectly encapsulates Bills fans' rabid energy and passion. The LETS GO BUFFALO chant reminds everyone this is Bills Mafia's house.

Pregame Parking Lot Parties

The chant starts early on game days, echoing through the parking lots hours before kickoff. Fans drink beers, grill food, play games and find creative ways to pump up the crowd.

Starting the LETS GO BUFFALO chant gets fans hyped and builds a sense of unity. It's an essential part of the raucous pregame tailgate atmosphere Bills Mafia is famous for.

Crucial Defensive Moments

The chant reaches peak intensity when the Bills defense tries to make a big stop. Key 3rd downs, late game stands and goal line situations is when you'll hear LETS GO BUFFALO at its loudest.

The crowd knows spurring on the defense helps create turnovers and momentum-shifting stops. Chanting unifies the crowd to make life hell for the opposing QB and offense.

Players Feed Off the Energy

Bills players acknowledge that hearing LETS GO BUFFALO erupting from the stands gives them a big adrenaline boost. It helps the defense make clutch, timely stops when they need them most.

The deafening noise also makes it extremely difficult for opposing offenses to communicate. Bills Mafia gives the home team a true home field advantage.

Controversy Around the Flag

Despite its popularity among Bills fans, the Let's Go Buffalo flag has also attracted some controversy over the years.

NFL Crackdown on Flags

The NFL began cracking down on fans displaying flags and banners at games around 2016. This was largely in response to an increase in visiting Patriots fans bringing anti-Bills banners to troll the home crowd.

Bills fans felt the team's ban on poles and flags specifically targeted their Let's Go Buffalo flags. They saw it as the NFL siding with the Patriots and unfairly taking away a Bills tradition.

Conflicts with Indigenous Groups

Some indigenous activists and organizations have criticized the Let's Go Buffalo slogan as offensive and colonizing. This stems from the complicated history of the city name “Buffalo” and its connections to the slaughter of bison and Native American displacement.

Bills fans counter that the chant and flag spread organically from their shared culture and is not meant to offend. But there remains debate around indigenous imagery associated with the Bills.

Rowdy Fan Behavior

The rowdy reputation of Bills Mafia has also led some to feel the Let's Go Buffalo mentality promotes excessive drinking, fighting and dangerous fan behavior. Damaging tables and starting stadium brawls perpetuate negative stereotypes about Buffalo.

Most Bills fans argue these incidents are isolated cases and don't represent the majority of fans. But the controversies still impact how Bills Mafia is perceived nationwide.

The Flag's Place in Bills History

Despite some controversies along the way, the Let's Go Buffalo flag remains a cherished symbol for Bills Mafia. It encapsulates decades of loyalty through good times and bad.

New generations of Bills fans are introduced to the LETS GO BUFFALO chant early. It connects them to the electric atmosphere and traditions passed down within Bills Mafia.

Even as the team and fan culture evolve, the Let's Go Buffalo slogan stands the test of time. It reminds the team to never lose hope. And it reminds fans that no matter where they are, Bills Mafia is always by their side.

FAQs

Who created the Let's Go Buffalo flag?

The flag was created organically by Bills fans, not the team or official merchandisers. Several fans printed the first flags in the late 2000s.

When did the LETS GO BUFFALO chant become popular?

The chant grew in the early 2010s as Bills Mafia culture emerged. It builds crowd energy during pivotal defensive moments.

Why did the NFL ban flag poles at games?

The league banned poles and flags in 2016 to cut down on fan conflicts. Bills fans felt targeted since the ban largely affected Let's Go Buffalo flags.

What controversies surround the flag?

Conflicts with indigenous groups and rowdy fan behavior controversies have impacted how the flag is perceived.

Is the flag still popular today?

Yes, it remains a cherished symbol connecting new generations of fans to Bills Mafia traditions.