Today was my last Bills game up in the Press Box as a Bills employee (at least for now). Wow, what can I say? It was a great experience! I learned so much- how to interview people, how to really build that camaraderie with professional athletes, how to write and act as a true professional.

But most importantly I learned that writing about sports is something I want to do after college. I’ve always been skeptical about possibly doing that, but now I really know, at least at this point, that it’s something I’m interested in. My faith has played a big role in that, too, though. I’ve come to the point where I realize the key is just putting all you have into what god puts in front of you, and seeing where it works out after that. Some things work out, some don’t, and that’s okay. But this definitely worked out. I see myself doing a lot in life, and I know the choices I make and the experiences that help me make those chioces have a lot to do with what  happens, but I’m comfortable knowing the intertwining relationship between free will and God’s will.

But about the internship, it really came full circle today. I remember lining up for the national anthem for the first game and thinking of how blessed I was, and Grandma and Tim Russert, and how optimistic spirits were for the Bills. Those first few weeks were really amazing. Obviously, as usually happens, we were all brought down to earth, but this is a season-and a team- I won’t soon forget. So many characters, so many good guys, so many typical pro athletes. Just a mixed bunch that fought and succeeded and struggled and ultimately missed the playoffs. But so much more than that.

I love being the first car sitting at the intersection of Southwestern and Abbott on Sundays. Just to see that huuuuge mass of Bills fans, bright-eyed as ever, blue collar as ever, as ready for this meaningless Week 17 game against New England, the decidedly overwhelming favorite, still coming out for the game was great. That’s what Bills fans are all about. That’s who they are. Sure, there’s some places like Pittsburgh where they really know their football and appreciate it, and there’s places like New York where they think the season’s a failure right up until they win the title, but there’s no fans like Bills fans. No matter how much they may cliche alert take it on the chin, they always get right back up and go back for more. For them, a meaningless game is still a game. It’s no reason not to come out. Do you stay home from work on bad days? No. You show up. And that’s what Bills fans always do.

Before kickoff started this game, just like the first, even though circumstances were so different, spirits were still undimmed. The outlook was different, but this was still a game . You never know hat could happen, and because the team took the field, because the fans took their seats, it meant something.

Walking out, I gave Tim Russert’s new plaque-stone-memorial outside the press box a tap and gave Grandma a wink, and like a true Bills fan- and I guess like someone who covers them- said, “Well, maybe they’ll get them next year…”

I’ve got my interview at The Buffalo News tomorrow after my last day @ The Ralph for locker cleanout/possible discussion about coach Dick Jauron’s future.

This was a great weekend, though. Got to hang out with Dave and hear Clare’s stories about Europe. Got to hang out, watch a movie with my brothers. Best of all, got to go to an awesome pub crawl in East Aurora and Shannon came for it and we had a great time and talked and drank and got stranded in the rain at 2:30 am before Dad picked us up. Also, had a good conversation with Mom about her, about my future, about college, after college, law school, whatever…It was good.

But like I’ve said before, I’m so blessed. Praise the Lord!

This is my last media day for the Bills and I have to say this is great. You don’t always realize it, working and putting together stories and interviews, but I really have been blessed with this internship. I’m sitting in on a press conference with Bill Belichick, legendary coach of the Patriots, with all the guys I grew up reading each Sunday in the newspaper. I’m really blessed to be doing this and I’ll definitely miss the whole media day thing. Everyone’s there, working, all these coaches and players, trying to put together stories. I love that whole newsroom atmosphere with everything buzzing. Chris has given me a great story to write, so I’m going to give it my all..

On another quick note last night was a great night. Even though Bona lost to Niagara (nothing ticks me off more besides losing to Canisius), we went out with Mr. McCarthy and had a great night. Shannon’s friend Ricky came up, and he’s just awesome, a lot of fun to be around. We made him an honorary Bonnie last night. He got drunk enough to be one. But the highlight of the night was drinking with Dean Coppola at the Burton. First, he corrected me after my first three words (Shannon and I, not me and Shannon) and went on to have a great conversation in which he almost convinced me to go to law school. He told me he was glad I was going into print, though, because we need more people in print to keep it going.

But great night and off to write a great story before Christmas Eve Mass…

Today was a good day. Got up early (10 am for Christmas vacation) and got some stuff done. But didn’t get the most important things done. I’ll be getting up early and going right for it tomorrow, though. Got to work out, pray, go to Bonaventure, get my clippings together, cover the Niagara game ( I’d love to see Bona’s win but not sure if it’s going to happen), then enjoy the night with a bunch of friends at Bona’s.

Got to get up early Wednesday, Christmas Eve, to work in Buffalo, my last Wednesday for the Bills. Also pretty psyched, got an interview for The Buffalo News for a summer internship position Monday. So I’ve got to get my portfolio together tomorrow, too.

Christmas is coming so fast and I feel said I haven’t gotten totally ready for Jesus to come. But I’m going to give everything I have to get ready and it should be a great Christmas.

Went to Salvatore’s tonight for an amazing dinner with the family; we are so Blessed. Bought It’s a Wonderful Life finally so we should watch that Christmas Eve.

Night.

Today was a pretty good day. Got up late but was determined to give it all I had today. Covered two events today, worked at the Bills from about noon or 1 to 7. Community events portion of my internship was done. They did a lot of good things for the kids, the Bills. It’s really a great organization. Besides everyone being so happy to be working for them (which you definitely don’t see everywhere), they’ve got good people that bend over backwards to help the community. And the players genuinely care, too. You don’t always see that when idiots like T.O. are yapping their jaws on TV. A lot of these NFL guys genuinely care about life beyond themselves.

I need to seriously get in gear and get in shape. Being president of the team, there’s no excuses anymore. For the next year, I need to be in the best physical shape of my life. I’m so far from being there and it’s got to come from deep down inside. I’ve got to be hungrier, desire more, than anyone else on our team. Everyone’s looking at me now and what I do, how I act, over the next few months will determine the future of our club.

Right now we’ve got a good group of young guys who have had two of the most successful seasons in team history. It’s going to be hard convincing them that what we’ve done just isn’t good enough anymore, but I’ll do it the only true way that I can- with my words but more importantly with my actions. I’ve got to put in my mind, body, heart, soul and spirit into this team for the next year. It’s given me so much. Everytime I put on that jersey, it’s not just for a game. It’s for a school, it’s for a man, for men, great men named Rob, Francis, Bonaventure, Jesus. And all that they lived for. I remember the first time I put on that jersey and saw that crest, I looked up and prayed to Rob and his spirit. The last time I walk off that field a year from now, I want to do so as a Division I New York State Champion. I want the guys I play with, our coach, St. Bonaventure, all to have that. That’s what I want to leave behind. I really don’t want to talk about what less than that will mean, whether it will be failure or not, because that’s not what we’re going for. We’re not going for less. We’re going for the gold, for the whole thing. What I do and what I get everyone else to do between now and then will determine if that will happen. I know God has blessed us so far, and there’s a reason He’s put this opportunity in front of us. We have to honor him by putting all we’ve got into it. Let’s do it.

Today was a sick day. The first day in a long time I really had no responsibilities. Slept in late, then took care of Trixie until the fam got home. Ate dinner, Nick had a concert and Mike didn’t get home from schoo, track and student government stuff until 11. That kid is unbelievable dedicated. I mean you can just see it in his face how drained he is when he gets home. He’s a hard worker, harder than I ever was at his age or probably any age for that matter. I can’t wait for him to see it all pay off, he’s going to go big places with that head on his shoulders, faith and that work ethic. I’ve never been prouder of my middle younger brother.

But being around the whole day made me realize how I can’t stand having nothing to do. I can’t wait to go cover some community events for the Bills tomorrow and do a whole bunch of other stuff. And Shannon and I have to get started on that list.

Had the rugby fundrasier in Buffalo which was fun. Afternoon ended up turning into night which ended up turning into morning. Was out for way too long but it was good to see Cappellino and a few other buddies. But now I’m sick, oh well.

What a ridiculous day to be a Bills fan, though. People are writing about how fans have never been this disgusted, which I still find hard to believe campared to the Super Bowl losses. My mom said she had to divorce the Bills a long time ago and you really can;t blame her. Losses are one thing, but constant sports heartbreak is another. I guess it takes more out of you. But maybe that’s why Buffalo fans are so resilient, because they have so much of their own hearts and souls into the team. It makes the heartbreaks and losses hurt more but I’m sure it’ll make the ultimate (Super Bowl) win that much sweeter if and when it comes.

Just finished writing my story about the running game, and that went really well. I actually sat down and took my time and enjoyed writing it, which doesn’t always happen. It’s near the end of this internship and I’m really starting to get a handle on everything and really like it. Wish it didn’t have to end, but it at the very least helped me to see how things worked in the sports journalism world and whether or not I like it. Well I do like it and that gets me excited, knowing that the last 3 years of studies are eventually going to pay off (hopefully) with doing something I like to do.

It’s way too late and I don’t know why I’m up. Now to enjoy the Christmas break and sleep way too late.

Tonight was such an awesome night, I can’t even begin to describe it. Went to the Bills employee Christmas party and it was a total blast. From the awesome food to open bar to mingling with some of the Bills and dancing with my boss and his wife, it was more fun than I could have imagined. And my date and I had a great time dancing. I don’t even remember the last time I danced like that and had so much fun, but it was just a blast. I even stopped drinking because I was having so much fun dancing.

It was interesting seeing my boss and coworkers and their girlfriends/wives. Shannon and I both said for the first time it didn’t seem so weird, the whole marriage thing in general. I think when you’re young, you think of it as some daunting task that is so far off and makes you so old and over the hill. But just seeing my boss and his wife really put it in perspective. Even though they’re older, they were talking about their college days like they were yesterday. Just a different perspective then I had before. And I knew I was thinking something different than I normally would when I thought I’d be missing out on something if I ever became a priest.

I realize that I’ve been so blessed to be a part of the Bills family at such a young age, from covering the games to going to fun events like this. This was the best party ever and I don’l feel like going to sleep or drinking, just staying up and dancing/partying.

I realize these are the things I need to be doing and that a relationship, or at least the one I’m currently in, isn’t a good idea right now. The only way I’ll get into another one is if it’s with a good friend who I just love being around. Because I’ve learned it’s obviously essential to know the person pretty well before you date them.

But there’s a few things we need to do over break to make it a successful one: Go to a Sabres game, go sledding in lewiston, skating outside in East Aurora, go out in Canada and Buffalo, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, take a certain sign in Marilla and go dancing again. Haha to the last part. But what a great night and I can only hope tomorrow’s a better day. Now to thank God for such a wonderful night. Goodnight!

it was also so great to be standing next to, and at time following around, all the writers I grew up reading. The game was absolutely great. When Nate Burleson dropped the TD catch in the end zone, I knew he heard my grandma screaming, distracting him to help the Bills.

I realize that not all games go as smoothly as a season-opening Bills blowout, but at least for this day everything was so cut and dried, so simple. Everything went as great as it could have and there’s still so much hope for the future (speaking of the Bills and this whole intern thing).

As I sat in the press box for the best view of a Bills game I’ve ever had, I knew- I just knew- that my Grandma and Tim Russert were sitting next to each other watching the game. I just know they’ll be great friends in Heaven and their personalities-and fanatical love of/eternal optimism about the Bills-have totally meshed. So it was fitting the day was so great and the Bills won. Amazing that all this happened my very first game covering a pro sports team. And it was the Bills- amazing.

Ok so here’s some of my stuff. I’m going to have to get used to not being totally unbiased, but I’ll do my best…

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6550

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6547

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?NEWS_ID=6549

Today was one of the most awesome days-probably of my life. It wasn’t on par with a lot of other days that had to do with other people, but as far as journalism and what I study, it was by far the best.

 

Put it this way: I interviewed Buffalo Bills Trent Edwards and Robert Royal one-on-one. I met Ralph C. Wilson’s wife. I wrote 3 stories which are currently the breaking news on Buffalobills.com. I met a dude from nfl.com who helped me out and took a real interest in my first day on the job.

My boss is a great guy. He helps me out a lot. It was pretty funny because when the game ended and we walked from the press box to the tunnel everyone recognized my boss and was yelling his name. I never realized so many people actually read the Bills blog.

The press box was awesome. I saw Van Miller. The meals were awesome. But the view was great and I was covering the Bills. It was basically any boy’s dream from Buffalo to do what I did today. I actually new a bunch of people in the media from other jobs/internships I recognized and struck a conversation with.

My attitude was different with this internship. I wasn’t there to try and do the best job ever done as an intern. I was there to do my best job, the best job I could do, and to be thankful for the internship I had and enjoy watching my favorite team of all time.

The day was great. I’m so blessed. I realize I’ve worked hard but I havent done anything to actually deserve this. I’m so blessed and fortunate. I jsut want to learn a lot and do the best I can to help everyone out. I’m on cloud nine and my feet haven’t touched the ground yet.

I realize how blessed I am and I kept thanking God but every time I did I realized  I was truly thankful for what Jesus gave for me and my great family. That’s the most important.

Saw this awesome 5 minute video on Sportscenter today about an 18-year-old kid that died. Sounds unusual, but he fought durng the last months of his life to get back to the baseball diamond. Really inspirational. He got up and got a hit. He talked about living for today and not only for tomorrow or the future. Just living today. Makes sense.

So great to be back at Bona’s. Townhouse 24 is greaaaaat. so far and is feeling more and more lie home already. I’ll be running around the next few days trying to get classes rescheduled and figuring out if I can do this job/internship someone contacted me about.

Rugby was so great today. Man, so much running. Me and Bob were talking about session #2. Our bodies were just physically unable to move that fast though are minds were pushing them. 12 hours of running in three days should get our butts in shape. Then it’s get to the weights and hopefully put some poundage on. The best thing so far is that we’re motivated. That makes all the difference in the world. EVeryone seems to be in pretty good shape and as long as we’re motivated, it should get better and better. Al will be coming tomorrow, which is GREAT. Dave, my friend from home, is coming Thursday and we’ll probably have a few parties at the rugby households. Up bright and early to some work with the internship thing and then yee haw rugby is on again. Yeah buddy.

 

Also how could I forget. I truly believe that God saved my parents’ lives. They were about to fly into the tropical storm/hurricane in Florida with 70 mph winds when they realized the storm was coming and decided not to go. Phew. They had to pay more money to reschedule but I feel good now that my Mom isn’t as stressed about it. God’s will is great, that’s for sure. It would be so cool to know the whole thing at once but obviously that doesn’t happen. We see little pieces here and there, if we stop and look for them.