Legend of the Game

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Fred Jackson announced as Legend of the Game for Bills vs. Patriots | Week 5

Oct 02, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Maddy Glab

Team Reporter

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Bills legend Fred Jackson is the Legend of the Game for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots. Jackson has been the Legend of the Game before, so he's no stranger to what it takes to fire up the crowd.

The former running back is looking forward to being back with Bills Mafia.

"It's always good to be back in that stadium in front of Bills Mafia," Jackson said. "It kind of just reignites that feeling of walking out of the tunnel, getting ready to compete…It's great to be back and be in the community, soak up all that fun in the atmosphere that Bills Mafia brings."

ENTER TO WIN AN SIGNED FRED JACKSON FOOTBALL

Jackson played for the Bills for eight seasons from 2007-14. During his time as a Bill, Jackson racked up 5,646 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns. Choosing Jackson as the legend for the Patriots game is perfect because one of Jackson's most memorable plays came against New England. It happened on September 25 in 2011.

With under two minutes to play and the game tied at 31, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick found Jackson for a 38-yard catch and run where he broke multiple tackles to set up a 28-yard field goal to win the game. The play was so important because the Bills won 34-31 and broke New England's 15-game win streak against Buffalo.

"Just to have the opportunity to make the play to put us in a position to do it," Jackson said of what he recalls from that game. "It was a play that we had practiced all week. And Fitz (Fitzpatrick) had told me, 'If we get this look, I'm coming to you right away.' So we line up, and obviously we get the look.

"I start smiling inside. I'm sure he was smiling too. For him to throw it to me and go down and make a play, then we line up to kick that kick. It was just a lot of fun too because I knew what it meant for the community."

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One thing that has Jackson smiling this season is the play of running back James Cook. The Bills have the best rushing offense in the league averaging 164 rushing yards per game and Cook is a big part of that. The RB has the second-most rushing yards (401) and most rushing touchdowns in the league (5).

Jackson can't wait to watch him in person.

"Being a former running back, I'm a bit biased on that anyways, I've always said that the best thing to help a quarterback succeed in an offense and run really well is a good running back that you can count on at a consistent pace," Jackson said. "And that's exactly what you get out of James. He's grown and kept persevering and turned into a tremendous back."

The former Bill is looking forward to an electric atmosphere on Sunday night that features a White Out by Bills Mafia. Jackson wants to soak up what could be his last game being the Legend of the Game in the current Highmark Stadium.

"It will be fun for it to be white in the stadium and it's not 200 tons of snow that need to be removed," Jackson said with a laugh. "I think the fans are going to enjoy it. I think the atmosphere is just going to be bonkers. You're playing the Patriots; these guys are on a tremendous run. It's Sunday Night Football. Everybody's tuned in."