Buffalo Bills icon hits out at team hours after being presented on field

18 September 2023 , 12:43

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Bills legend Spikes was far from pleased with his view at Sunday's game against the Raiders (Image: Twitter)

Buffalo Bills legend Takeo Spikes has slammed the NFL franchise due to poor accommodation after being brought onto the field to hype up the crowd at Bills Stadium ahead of the 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

The Bills got back to winning ways on Sunday after losing their Week 1 opener 22-16 to the New York Jets in overtime. Their 2023 home opener was a different story as a Josh Allen-led Bills dominated the Raiders, winning three of four quarters.

Buffalo legend Spikes was brought back to Bills Stadium to speak to the crowd to get them on the side of the team prior to kick-off. The former linebacker had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, as he orchestrated universal chanting inside the 71,000-seater stadium.

"It's great to be back in the building, there's nothing like opening day in the NFL but it's a whole other level when opening day is inside of this stadium," Spikes said. He finished with: "Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"

But as Spikes found his seat for kick-off, the Buffalo legend, who spent four seasons at the Bills between 2003 and 2006, was treated to a restricted view. Part of one of the stands at Bills Stadium blocked Spikes' view of the endzone on the opposite side to him. And so Spikes took to Twitter to complain, revealing that he didn't stay until the end due to the poor accommodation.

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"Congrats to @BuffaloBills for getting a dominant win in home opener," Spikes started. "I wish I could've stayed for the entire game but seating accommodations were NOT the standard. How you gonna have the @NFLLegends supporting with this obstructed sample size of a view!? Felt like I was in timeout."

Spikes, who was initially drafted 13th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Sand Francisco 49ers, and the San Diego Chargers, revealed that he has had better service on the West Coast. "Come back to a Niner game, they’ll take care of you," a fan replied to Spikes. He then replied: "I already know!"

The two-time Pro Bowl selection, who went unsigned in 2013, also said: "Disappointing is an understatement."

Spikes isn't the only ex-Bills star to complain after attending a Buffalo game. Legendary Bills head coach and GM, Marv Levy, had a similar gripe to Spikes, according to The Athletic's Tim Graham. "Not a new phenomenon, unfortunately," a tweet to Spikes read.

"Heavyweight Bills alumni have complained to me in past about treatment when they return. HOFer told me he was appalled where Marv Levy was seated at last yr opener, in general area w/fans who were nice but too overwhelming for 91-year-old man."

Joshua Mbu