The Buffalo Bills are one of the most iconic teams in the NFL, but the origins of their name stretch far beyond the gridiron. Rooted in American history, the nickname pays homage to a larger-than-life figure of the Old West, William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Known for his extraordinary exploits and showmanship, Buffalo Bill’s legacy embodies adventure, resilience, and the untamed spirit of a bygone era.
The Man Behind the Name
William Cody was born in 1846 and earned the nickname “Buffalo Bill” as a buffalo hunter. He gained fame supplying meat to railroad workers during America’s westward expansion, particularly for the Kansas-Pacific Railway. By his own account, Cody claimed to have killed over 4,000 buffalo in just two years. While historians debate the accuracy of this figure, this legend cemented his place in American folklore as a symbol of the rugged individualism of the frontier.
But Cody’s story didn’t end with buffalo hunting. He became one of America’s first true entertainers by creating Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1883. This traveling spectacle won audiences over with sharpshooting exhibitions, reenactments of frontier battles, and performances by Native American participants, including the legendary Lakota leader Sitting Bull. By the late 19th century, Buffalo Bill had become a global icon, introducing audiences from Europe to the United States to a romanticized version of the American West.
From Showman to Sports Team
Fast forward to 1946, when Buffalo, New York, had a football franchise in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Known as the Buffalo Bisons, the team was struggling to establish a distinctive identity. Owner James Breuil decided to hold a contest to rename the team, and the winning entry was “Buffalo Bills,” chosen for its dual nod to the city and the legendary Cody. The name resonated with fans, capturing qualities like strength, determination, and resilience — attributes any football team would be proud to embody.
Although the AAFC Bisons folded after the league’s dissolution in 1949, the Buffalo Bills name refused to fade into obscurity. In 1960, when Ralph Wilson Jr. established an American Football League (AFL) franchise in Buffalo, he brought back the name to honor the pride and recognition it had already garnered within the community.
Wilson’s decision cemented the legacy of the nickname, connecting the city’s football future with its rich cultural and historical ties. Today, the Buffalo Bills are synonymous with grit and loyalty, a fitting tribute to the rugged spirit that inspired the team’s name decades earlier.
Their fanbase, known as “Bills Mafia”, has become a cultural phenomenon, rallying around their team in a way that mirrors the legendary figure’s ability to captivate audiences. Just as Buffalo Bill’s legacy brought stories of the frontier to life, the Bills and their devoted fans continue to create lasting memories.