BUFFALO, N.Y. — Bills fans are still celebrating Sunday’s big win against the Patriots. For one Buffalo family though, it was two nights before that was so memorable.

It was a story first reported by Tim Graham of The Athletic.

What You Need To Know

  • Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie on Instagram asked who he could have dinner with on Christmas Eve
  • Bills fan Chris Uba responded with his aunt and uncle’s address, and McKenzie showed up minutes later
  • The Bills wideout would go on to have a career game against the Patriots on Sunday

For Chris Uba, Christmas Eve is a family tradition. They get together for a meal at his aunt and uncle’s place in North Buffalo.

“We had just eaten dinner," said Uba. "The kids were antsy to open gifts, so that's kind of where we were at in the night.”

Bored and on his phone, Uba clicked through Instagram stories until he saw a request from Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, asking to come over for dinner after not finding another place open Christmas Eve.

Being a Bills family, naturally, Uba responded, not thinking anything would come from it.

“And then [McKenzie] responded right away," recalled Uba. "Five to 10 minutes later, he ended up showing up.”

A lot of Bills fans would be excited just to meet a meet a Bills player, so you can imagine when Uba’s family actually saw Isaiah McKenzie walking up to their front door, they were over the moon.

“I was almost blacked out, just mentally, while he was there," joked Uba. "I barely remember any of the conversation we had just because it was so surreal.”

They were star struck, no doubt, but wanted to give #19 a normal night. They talked about family, weather and things light.

“I know he was a big fan of my Grandpa Ron's crabmeat casserole, so whenever he needs that we got it for him,” Uba offered.

Uba only had one photo of McKenzie from the visit.

“We don't want him to feel like he's walking into anything crazy, with a million fans trying to get autographs and pictures and stuff,” Uba explained.

Eventually, McKenzie did need to leave. He had a Sunday morning flight to New England, after all.

“He said his goodbyes and we all sat there for an hour and a half debriefing," recalled Uba. "But it was it was awesome. And we'll always have that as a memory for us.”

Two days later, McKenzie was back on the gridiron, where he helped crush the Patriots, in a career game with 11 catches, 125 yards and a touchdown.

Uba would like to think that the dinner had at least a little something to do with it.

“My whole family, we’re all in group chat. We're all saying watching the game, you know, 'Oh, it's totally...' We're taking all the credit for the win and how he's playing, but I think he just got a great opportunity and he showed out,” said Uba.

But just in case it was good luck, Uba has more invites to give to his favorite team.

“I'd love if Josh Allen would come over, but we'll take anybody,” he said. “The whole team. We could probably fit all the guys over here.”

Either way, Uba’s got a story of a lifetime to tell.

“Go Bills,” Uba exclaimed.

Apart from the picture, the only other physical reminder of that Christmas Eve dinner with a Bills player is a signed football for one of Uba’s little cousins.