Hundreds of Bills fans who "bleed red, white and blue" entered, but only 11 now own the bragging rights to be called "The Ultimate Bills Fan Team." In honor of the 50th Season, Perry's Ice Cream and The Buffalo Bills recognized the members of The Ultimate Bills Fan Team at the Bills home opener.
Earlier this summer, Perry's introduced their newest Bills flavor, Rock Pile to the Ralph and began their search for the Ultimate Bills Fan Team. Bills fans were asked to submit a photo exemplifying true Bills fan behavior along with a short essay and their favorite Perry's Ice Cream flavor. Perry's and the Bills judged the entries and those selected to the Ultimate Bills Fan Team each won tickets to the Bills Home Opener, a Bills 50th Season jersey, and were recognized on the field prior to the game.
The fan chosen as The Ultimate Bills Fan, Bill Fox of LeRoy, N.Y., will also receive an invitation for four to Jim Kelly's private tailgate party before the November 29 Bills game, a pair of season tickets, and a year's supply of Perry's Ice Cream.
Perry's learned that fans are passionate about their Bills and about their ice cream - favorite flavors included Piece of Cake, Strawberry Sundae, Rainbow Sherbet, Pistachio Nut, Bills Brownie Blitz, Death by Chocolate and of course the newest Bills flavor, Rock Pile to the Ralph, commemorating the Bills 50th Season.
Entries included hundreds of fans who have created Bills' shrines in their houses and dozens who are the presidents of their local Bills Backers Clubs. Other entries were from fans that have had their wedding photos taken at the Ralph and attended games at the Rock Pile. There were also, of course, entries of other Bills fans who paint their faces (and their cars, vans and trucks), wear their Bills horns, capes, helmets, bathrobes, jewelry, underwear, scarves, hats, and yes, even Zubaz™.
"Bills fans are the most proud, loyal and supportive fans in the NFL," said Bruce Popko, Bills senior vice president of business development. "The Ultimate Bills Fan Team promotion with Perry's was a great opportunity for the Bills and Perry's to recognize some of these outstanding fans."
"The response was amazing," said Brian Perry, executive vice-president and vice-chair of Akron-based Perry's Ice Cream. "We always knew that Buffalo Bills fans were unmatched by any others, but to view the photos and read the stories from these die-hard fans was just incredible. We salute all of the fans who entered."
Additional highlights from entries included fans who have been season ticket holders for decades and fans who have forgone vacations, college textbooks and more just to buy tickets. Entries came in from across the country including fans that have never actually been to Buffalo. There are dozens of fans with Bills tattoos branded on their arms, legs, and elsewhere.
There are even fans that travel more than ten hours round trip to home games and fans that travel the country to away games. There were entries from fans stationed throughout the world serving time in our military and there are the fans who lived through four Super Bowls, and who have cried real tears. Visit www.UltimateBillsFan.com for more information.
Congratulations to the Ultimate Bills Fan Team!
Ultimate Bills Fan Team Roster:
Ultimate Bills Fan - Bill Fox, LeRoy, N.Y.*
Michael Felsen, Wellsville, N.Y.
Phyllis Fasanello, Kenmore, N.Y.
Eric Homa, Endicott, N.Y.
Rob Long, Rochester, N.Y.
Paul Mazuchowski, Sloan, N.Y.
Neil McNeight, Fredonia, N.Y.
Jeff Newman, Newfane, N.Y.
Thomas Piecuch, Rochester, N.Y.
Joanie Podkowinski-Dekoker, Syracuse, N.Y.
Dick Zolnowski, Depew, N.Y.
Perry's Ice Cream is the "Official Ice Cream" of the Buffalo Bills. In May, Perry's introduced "Rock Pile to the Ralph," a special limited edition flavor to commemorate 50 years of Bills "Fandemonium." "Rock Pile to the Ralph" is a football fan's fantasy snack, made with vanilla ice cream, caramel swirls, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate covered pretzels and praline peanuts. Consumers can scoop up Rock Pile to the Ralph at Tops Friendly Markets and other select retail locations.
Perry's Ice Cream, founded in 1918 by H. Morton Perry and headquartered in Western New York, is a family-owned and operated fourth generation ice cream manufacturer with frozen distribution services. Since its humble beginning, when hand cranks and horse-drawn delivery wagons were used, Perry's has maintained one of the most modern, state-of-the-art production facilities in the country to produce over 13 million gallons per year of great tasting ice cream, one batch at a time. With over 285 employees, Perry's sells and distributes to New York, Western Pennsylvania, New England and Northeast Ohio. For additional information about Perry's Ice Cream, visit www.PerrysIceCream.com.
