The final event in the 53-season history of Highmark Stadium “likely will be” today when the Bills finish their regular season against the Jets at 4:25pm ET. Fans, who have come through the stadium’s gates since 1973, are “ready for the new stadium to bring the Orchard Park game day experience into the modern age” (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/4).
There are “added security measures” set for today’s game to “prioritize preventing theft of stadium property and keeping fans away from the field.” The Bills, Erie County and a third-party consultant have “started to list turf pieces, goalpost sections and stadium seats for sale online.” Erie County and the Bills are working with CollectibleXchange to “salvage assets from the stadium.” Net revenue from the sale “will be split 50-50” between the county and CollectibleXchange (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/2).
Late Bills founder Ralph Wilson’s wife Mary Wilson said, “It’s bittersweet. I’m sure I’ll shed a few tears.” Wilson, who will be in attendance for the final game, said, “I have this picture of Ralph, and I love it. It’s 1973, and he’s standing there in the new stadium. It’s the beginning. Now, it’s the ending. Everything has an ending” (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/4).
The Jets join the Bills at the last teams to play a regular-season game at -- “take your pick -- Rich/Ralph/New Era/Highmark” (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/2).
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Chris Berman on “Sunday NFL Countdown” talked to former Bills about the stadium’s place and their memories.