Ralph Wilson passed away on Tuesday March, 25 2014. I was notified of this sad news at 3:02 PM by my Sportscenter app. I like many Bills fans was deeply saddened by the loss of our only owner in Franchise history and I felt it was only right to say a few words of respect for the Father of Bills Football. I turned to social media and used Twitter and Facebook as my outlet to pay my final respects to Mr. Wilson.
I was happy to realize that when I went on Twitter and Facebook that Mr. Wilson and the Buffalo Bills were trending. Bills fans worldwide were able to express their feelings about Ralph Wilson and send condolences to the Wilson Family. I knew social media was strong before but this was one of the first times that I realized how social media can unite a group of people no matter the distance between them. No matter where you were you could tweet about Ralph Wilson and see the incoming tweets about Mr. Wilson in a matter of seconds. Players and Teams around the NFL also tweeted their support for the Wilson family and the Buffalo Bills and I personally felt like that was a very classy act.
Rest in peace Ralph Wilson. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) March 25, 2014
All of us at the #AZCardinals extend our thoughts and prayers to the @buffalobills family on the passing of owner Ralph Wilson.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 25, 2014
The thoughts and prayers of #RavensNation are with the @buffalobills family after the passing of owner Ralph Wilson.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 25, 2014
In addition when I was on Twitter last night, trying to find something to write about this week I saw a post from the Bills Mafia twitter page, which is a huge group of Bills Fans that congregate at Bills games and contribute to the Bills community and the Buffalo community for that matter. The post that I saw from the Bills Mafia referenced a tailgate that will take place this Sunday from 1-5 PM in Orchard Park to honor the life of Mr. Wilson. The Bills Mafia announced that it would cost $10 per car and all proceeds would go to the Hunter's Hope Foundation (founded by Jim Kelly for his late son Hunter).
Join us THIS SUNDAY 1-5pm at @HammersLot (4170 Abbott) as we say thank you to Mr. Wilson the best way #Bills fan know how, with a tailgate.
— The #BillsMafia (@TheBillsMafia) March 25, 2014
The news of the ailgate spread like wild fire with hundreds of people confirming that they would go (including me) that the Bills Mafia later tweeted out that they would actually have to change the venue for the Tailgate to a larger venue because so many people are expected to show up. The Tailgate has been moved to The Wings Flight Parking Lot, 3964 California Rd. It will be right behind Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Due to the overwhelming response we’ve received, Sunday’s tailgate to honor Mr. Wilson has been MOVED. New location. Details soon. Please RT
— The #BillsMafia (@TheBillsMafia) March 27, 2014
NEW LOCATION for Sunday's #BillsMafia tailgate in honor of Mr. Wilson. Wings Flight lot on California Rd. Details: http://t.co/lxou9ds7cI
— The #BillsMafia (@TheBillsMafia) March 27, 2014
I know this post does not fully cover the guidelines of what these blogs should look like but this subject is very near and dear to my heart and I wanted to change it up a bit because I not only think that it is important to learn to blog efficiently but as a writer it is also important to be passionate about ones writing and I am proud of the piece that I have developed. Social Media was able to bring all of us Bills Fans together in this time of struggle and we were able to pay our respects and will be able to attend essentially a Ralph Wilson Memorial service on Sunday and I don't know if it would have been possible without the assistance of Social Media being able to connect so many people.
Rest in Peace Mr. Wilson, thank you for giving me the best thing I have ever known and Go Bills!!
pic.twitter.com/jBA9VCa2ye
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) March 25, 2014
Bills Mafia Memorial Tailgate
Social media is a great opportunity for people with the same interest to come together and share their thoughts, feelings and passions. The #BillsMafia has taken great advantage of this opportunity and proves the power and reach of social media because of the need for a location change due to response to the event. It is also nice because to a lot of people locally, though they are aware and give their thoughts to the Wilson family, it gives people with a deeper emotional connection to connect with each other.
ReplyDeleteThis blog proves social media is so powerful in virtual reality and real life.
In situations of tragedy, Twitter is a great place where people can set aside their differences and come together to give support to on another. The Ravens and the Arizona Cardinals are two good examples of this tweeting giving their thoughts and prayers. Also, the #BillsMafia did a like thing by organizing a tailgate and using social media to spread the word.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a very difficult couple of weeks for the Buffalo Bills, with the passing of Mr. Wilson and the news that Jim Kelly has cancer. It's very sad and I hope Jim Kelly will be able to beat the disease. With that being said, social media is definitely a good tool to connect to others who are also mourning the loss of Mr. Wilson and allows them to be comforted by others who are mourning.
ReplyDeleteMr. Wilson's passing is definitely something that no one will forget in a long while, especially Bills fans. I'm glad that people have used social media to celebrate his life and mourn together. Sometimes it is easy to think that social media is only used for negative interaction, so seeing people coming together is a refreshing moment, even if it is over such a sad even like the passing of a great man. RIP, Mr. Wilson.
ReplyDelete