Written by Dion Dawkins
Bills Mafia, I know we got a big one coming up on Sunday. The last game at Highmark Stadium, I can't believe it. I really can't. We are a part of history. That's some crazy s---.
You already Shnow the vibes will be lit. It'll be a game to remember. We got to send it off the right way.
It feels like just yesterday it was 2017. Week 3 to be exact. That was my first NFL start. I made it in front of you, my family, on my home turf. We won that game 26-16 against the Broncos. It's a memory I'll hold close to my heart forever. There's a ton of those at Highmark Stadium.
Where do I begin with what that stadium means to me. First off, I have to confess something. I'm not good with letting things go. I like to hang on longer than most. Thinking about the last game is making me realize that. That's why Sunday isn't going to be easy.
When I think about some of my first memories at Highmark Stadium, it's not a specific game, it's looking out into the crowd. What comes to mind is seeing Richie Incognito jerseys in the stands when I was a rookie. That's huge for a lineman. Your guy was coming from a smaller school in Temple and going to a place where the fans love their players, even offensive lineman.
That s--- stuck with me. It gave me hope. It made me realize I'm at a place where one day, hopefully, I can see my jerseys in the crowd. And hey, it happened. It's a beautiful thing seeing those 73 jerseys in the crowd. I don't take any of this s--- for granted.
I also won't forget riding into the facility on game days. I get to drive right through tailgating. I get to feel and see how lit the fans are. You really help set our mentality. It's one of kicking a--, the way you tailgate, the things you jump through, getting doused in ketchup and mustard. It's dope as hell.
Bills Mafia, you are really one of one. The love you have for us is really f----- special. When we win, the entire community is happy. When we lose, it's tough way to start the week. Victory Mondays are really for everyone.
Games that I'll remember most? That's easy.
The snow game against the Colts in 2017. When I played Madden growing up, I would always play in the snow. The Shnowman energy has been there since I was a kid. That snow game made me feel like a kid again. I'll always remember LeSean McCoy scoring the winning touchdown behind me and Richie in overtime. That s--- was so fun.
The perfect game against the Patriots in the Wild Card Round in 2021 is another good one. It was less than 10 degrees out there, but our offense was hot. Red hot. We scored on every single drive. Every single drive. That's so hard to do in this league.
Also, the Divisional Round against the Ravens in the 2020 playoffs. That Taron Johnson pick six is a play that I'll never forget. He's a freaking dawg. He ran the length of a football field twice to score. Thinking about the defense celebrating in the end zone still gives me chills. I love those guys.
We got to talk about that tunnel too. That's something that will never exist in the NFL again. We were the only stadium left that had just one tunnel to the field. That means things got heated sometimes running up the tunnel after a game being right next to the opponents. I didn't like it at all, but I'll kind of miss it.
Since Sunday is the last one at Highmark, we've got to make it special. I'm going to soak up every last second in that thing. I hope we get a little Shnow too. It's only right.
I'm about to go slow-mo through my pregame routine. I'll sit in my seat on the bench. Look to my right. Look to my left. Look straight ahead to the opponent's bench. Listen to the chatter from the fans. I absorb the energy from the fans. I know they're going to really bring it on Sunday. They'll have me on 10.
I'll give my kids and Daiyaana lots of hugs. I'll go over and give Momma Dawkins a big hug too. Those are my people, my tribe, they've been with me since the jump. You better believe I'm looking up at them during the game to see them taking it in too.
Man, thinking about it all. I'm going to be real with you all. I built who Dion Dawkins was in that stadium. I got to really show the passion of why I play the sport in front of my community.
I've built a legacy in Orchard Park.
I don't know if there will be enough towels to catch my tears on Sunday. S---, I'll be crying for sure. I'm not going to rush off the field. It'll be a long exit. I want to walk around the stadium and shake your hands, Bills Mafia.
To close it out the right way, this might sound crazy, but I want to pause the game and have the entire team, the entire crowd smile for a picture. That would be awesome.
I really want to take the jumbotron with me. I'm laughing thinking about it. Think I can carry that? I really do want it. I'll put it where I drift and every time I look at it, it'll be a flood of memories. I got to have some turf and some chairs from our section.
While all good things must come to an end, there's a shiny new toy across the street that's getting us fired up. It's been crazy to watch the new stadium go up. When I drive by, I just roll down my windows and go, daaaaamnn. It's going to be fancy. It's like marrying a supermodel and bringing her to Buffalo. We really scored that.
You know what the cool thing is, it's the fact that this generation of Bills fans has raised up the next generation of fans that will be with us in the new stadium. They know what's expected. I want them to kick it up a notch too.
Bills Mafia, it's time to close out this beautiful stadium full of Blue Light, pizza logs and memories the right way. I want you all buzzing. I want it to be loud. You got to bring the vibes. Channel your inner Shnowman. I want you sauced up, but I also want you to remember it all.
Let's do it. One last time. Let's make Highmark Stadium and the players who came before us proud. Let's make it one to remember.
— Dion
