“Mafia Monday” is a popular feature in the #BillsMafia movement. Every week, a selected member of the FAMbase is interviewed. This is an interactive element where members of our community can get to know each other and build unity by becoming a little transparent.
Preseason Week 4′s Mafia Monday interview is Damond Talbot, aka @drocksthaparty on Twitter.
Damond was raised in little Salamanca, New York where he played high school football and had over 15 scholarships to play college football before breaking his back his senior year. He is now employed as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer in Florida where he still reps his Red, White and Blue. Damond has been working on building an organization like the #BillsMafia in Florida called #Heat-Peat. He has the word Heat-Peat trademarked and is hoping to do something for the kids with all the proceeds. You can visit the site at www.heat-peat.com; Damond is also known on the web for his articles he posts for www.nfldraftzone.com. Damond scouts the historical black colleges and universities and has created quite a following with the #BillsMafia. On Twitter he is always finding a way to do contests where he gives away Bills Autographs and Memorabilia, so be sure to follow him.
How long have you been a Bills Fan, and what’s your earliest Bills memory?
Growing up, I remember sitting on the couch watching the Bills/Giants Super Bowl with my family and cheering against the Bills, because that was the only thing that would make my older brother mad. My older brother use to beat me up, when we were littler. It was good to see him cry after they lost, but by the third Super Bowl I began feeling bad for my brother. I saw how passionate he was for the team and the game, it made him so upset when they lost. I was always an Emmitt Smith fan, but that fourth Super Bowl, I was pulling for the Bills. I was born in 82, so that is really the earliest memory I can remember when it comes to the Bills. I will never forget that butt whooping I took when I was laughing at my brother for Scott Norwood’s missed field goal, OUCH. That butt whooping is what made me the fan I am today, GO BILLS.
What is your favorite Bills memory?
My favorite Bills memory has to be when the Bills were at Fredonia State for training camp. My brother was converting me into becoming a Bills fan. I guess I didn’t really understand at a young age that the Bills #FamBase was so entrenched in their love for the Bills. I remember trying to get autographs from the players and all of them stopping and signing something for me. I have so many great memories, but meeting Butch Rolle has to be one of my favorite memories. Butch was a very humble man, who I looked up too, because he gave me his arm bands after the practice and signed them.
What was the first Bills game you attended? What was most memorable?
The first game I attended was a Jets game, it was crazy. I was sitting next to a group of Jets fans who were acting really obnoxious. They began drinking and cursing at the Bills fans. In about the third quarter, a Bills fan had enough of all the barking and went down to tell the guy to leave. The Jets fan took his shirt off and ran down the aisle. He jumped on to the field and a former football player in the local area was working Security Guard. The man made it out to about mid field and the security guard, Bill Goldberg’d the JETS fan. They played it over and over on the Jumbotron, and the fans gave the security guard a standing ovation. I will never forget when the lady was leaving the stadium, she was cursing at the fans when walking up the stairs. She slipped and fell down the stairs, that is when I learned Karma. This was a classic moment, off the field. The most memorable moment at the game has to be Flutie Magic back in the day. I remember the fans booing Rob Johnson and coach Phillips putting Flutie in the game. Flutie came in and won us the game. That was a great memory.
Do you own any Bills jerseys, and if so what ones?
Since I live in Florida, I have to wear Bills garb. I own a Mitchell and Ness Jim Kelly Blue Jersey and a Stevie Johnson White Jersey (the Reebok one). I plan on getting another this year, but I am waiting to see if the player gets cut from the team or not.
Favorite current Bill?
I am a big fan of underdogs. As you know I scout small school football players, and love watching the smaller players make an impact. My favorite current Bill is probably Fred Jackson. He has overcome a lot in his career, and so many people have written him off his entire career, but he has found a way to persevere.
Favorite former Bill?
I have quite a few, I will list them, but since I was a kicker in high school my favorite has to be Scott Norwood. I went to a kicking camp my junior year, and Scott was there. I love Scott, and he taught me a lot when it came to kicking. I would say he is my favorite former Bill. As for the other guys I loved Butch Rolle, Gabe Northern, Raion Hill, Kwame Cavil, Dan O’Leary, Don Beebe and Gabe Gilbert.
What is your favorite team to watch lose to the Bills?
The Patriots, I have grown to hate that team. I shouldn’t use the word hate, but it is ok when you talk about the Pats. They have had their number against us, and I am just ready for that to all change. I think this year will be the year that Bills unseat them from the top of the division.
Best tailgate food?
I have to say a Bratwurst or Hotdog on the grill. I don’t drink but the Bills bowling ball game was famous when I was there. I haven’t been there in a while but the Bowling Ball Shots were an amazing thing to watch. The guy who use to grill on his car was pretty cool as well. I am telling you, Bills tailgating was the best times.
Other sports you enjoy following? If so, favorite teams?
University of Buffalo fan in college football
Saint Bonaventure Bonnies in college basketball
Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Buffalo Sabres in NHL
Montreal Expos in Baseball (Oh wait, there is no team in Montreal) – That is how I really feel about baseball…..
Lastly, what does “Bills Mafia” mean to you?
I remember when my long time friend contacted me and told me about #BillsMafia (Heidi Finley). I didn’t know what the #BillsMafia was or what it was about. After reading about #BillsMafia and seeing how they give back to the hospital, it made me realize that we do have the best fan base. While other teams fans are shooting each other in the parking lots, our #FamBase is trying to come together to help others. That is a typical New York way. You hear people all the time talking bad about us Yankees, but when have you seen another team come together as a family and help the kids at the local hospital? #BillsMafia is not just a word, it is a movement, and to be honest with you it is the best movement that I have been a part of. I am a proud #BillsMafia Member and will support them as long as I live.
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