FanFocus with BillsMafia: Mafia Monday Interview with @RandomlyRufus

“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.

Week 4′s Mafia Monday interview is Thomas DeLaus, aka @RandomlyRufus.

How long have you been a Bills Fan, and what’s your earliest Bills memory?
As long as I can remember I have been a Bills fan, I think being from WNY, we are all bred to bleed the Red, White and Blue. My dad has always been a diehard fan and thus I was as well. I received the Starter pull-over Bills jacket from Santa, or so I thought, when I was 8 years old! Greatest present I had received — or at least that year! Earliest Memory for me would have to be the Music City Miracle… I remember driving in the car with my step mom listening to the game on the radio and running inside to my dad all excited that we had won… to find out we had lost by the time I was back inside.

What is your favorite Bills memory?
Without question, my favorite memory was last year beating the Patriots, I can’t think of anything or any feeling that could compare to that day. The electricity in the air, the blood pumping through everyone’s veins. It was more than euphoric, it was the perfect drug for every Bills fan.

What was the first Bills game you attended?
October 5th, 2003 versus the Bengals. My dad preferred watching the game in warmth, so I was never privy to the luxury of going to The Ralph at a young age.

Do you own any Bills jerseys, and if so what ones?
I do, I have a Spiller White, Freddy Nike Blue, Stevie Blue, Dareus White and I use to have a Losman jersey… but I just so happened to lose that one… shucks.

Favorite current Bill?
Without question, has to be Freddy, with CJ coming up in the rear view mirror.

Favorite former Bill?
Eric Moulds, He embodied what I loved about football, hard nose and tough as nails!

What is your favorite team to watch lose to the Bills?
Patriots, no questions asked.

Best tailgate food?
After this past week against the Chiefs, gotta say Frogmore Stew, so good. Check it out! No there are not Frogs in the ingredients!

Other sports you enjoy following? If so, favorite teams?
Baseball here and there, born and raised a Yankees fan!

Lastly, what does “Bills Mafia” mean to you?
I’ve given many descriptions as to what I thought BillsMafia meant to me. I am going to give it another shot. For me, it is an embodiment of everything and everyone. It’s a feeling of hope, faith and community. BillsMafia is a group of people, family members who stick together and support eachother, their community and the team we love. It never ends, only gets bigger and better. Its like ThanksGiving, you might be full, but people continue to show up at all hours of the day and you end up with more leftovers than you know what to do with, but you’ve never been happier. BillsMafia is not a cult, it is a way of life.

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About #FanFocus: The word fan first emerged as an Americanism around 1889 referring to baseball enthusiasts but today’s football fans are really the true modern day fanatics. While all sports have their fans, football fans have a uniquely intense devotion. We willingly submit to braving the elements in brutal temperatures, eat unusual culinary concoctions, theme decorate our homes, engage in remote control battles, and proudly wear body paint and tattoos all in an effort to show loyalty to our favorite players and teams. Pro Player Insiders is creating a special section on our website and partnering with dedicated fan groups throughout the country to highlight and engage with some of the most passionate NFL fans. If you are a fan group that fits that description, contact us on twitter @PlayerInsiders and let us know.