PITTSFORD, N.Y. — It’s a common sight at Buffalo Bills Training Camp: players signing autographs for adoring fans — but this just hits different for Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen.

“[It] gives you motivation every day, Andreessen said after practice at St. John Fisher University. “It’s kind of like a game-like atmosphere with the fans here every day.”

His fan club is filled with family and friends who are always in the stands.

“It’s cool. A little nerve-racking because I’ve got my parents watching me in practice,” he said. “I never had that feeling.” 

They don’t have to drive too far — Andreessen grew up outside of Buffalo, watching the Bills, and now he’s playing for the hometown team.

“It’s hard to describe. [It’s] kind of surreal,” he said.

Andreessen was a star at Lancaster High School, an FCS All-American at Bryant University in Rhode Island, then played his final college season back home at the University at Buffalo. While he was disappointed he wasn’t drafted, the Bills signed him after a tryout at rookie minicamp in the spring.

“Keep climbing towards what you want. And I think that’s just a mindset and kind of life thing,” he said. “Keep grinding toward what you want and even if it doesn’t work out in what you think it’s going to, it might work out somewhere else.” 

As an undrafted rookie, Andreessen might have an uphill climb to make the team. For him, it’s all about finding that extra edge to rise above the crowd. He’s been learning from stars like Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, along with the other veterans in the Bills linebacker room.

“Everyone here is a tremendous athlete so when you’re able to break the game down and see the play happen before it even happens on the field, that’s when you’re going to start making plays,” he said.

Andreesen has always made big plays, going back to his days at Lancaster, when his high school team played in the sectional championship game at Highmark Stadium. Now, his career comes full circle, where he hopes to line it up in the preseason and beyond once again at the home of the Bills. 

“I think it’ll be a lot more packed than it was. We had just a little section,” he said. “Now it’s going to be packed. It’s going to be cool. I’m just going to be happy to represent the Bills. Have that ‘Bills’ on the front of my jersey. I can’t wait.” 

It’s a moment he’s been waiting for almost as long as he can remember.  And he’ll surely have his own section of his biggest fans.