ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — One more win. That’s how close the Bills are from going to the Super Bowl.
Rookie linebacker Joe Andreessen understands the implications, maybe better than most. It’s bigger than football for fans in Buffalo.
“The Bills lift the community up here so, a Bills win or loss determines how the people’s weeks are,” Andreessen said this week as the Bills prepared to travel to Kansas City for the AFC championship game.
It was only a year ago that Andreessen was watching playoff games as a Bills fan himself. The native of nearby Depew, New, York starred at Lancaster High School and later his final college season at the University at Buffalo.
“I know how much the Bills mean to everyone, and whether I’m watching with my family or friends back then, always a great time,” Andreessen said, recalling some of the playoff runs of season’s past.
Now known as "Buffalo Joe," he’s having the time of his life — fulfilling a dream of playing the NFL for his hometown team, one win away from the Super Bowl in his first year.
“The last two weeks have been crazy,” he said. “Just feels like we’ve got to be more focused and more detailed in everything we do because know one play, one big play, could be the difference between winning and losing.”
Joe’s journey to the pros almost had him playing for the opposition in this weekend’s AFC championship game. Before he had a tryout with the Bills last spring, he went to rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It was kind of definitely unfulfilling at the end just for me personally just because I felt like I had a good showing, everything like that,” he said.
Ultimately, the Chiefs passed, but the Bills signed him as undrafted free agent and he made the team coming out of training camp — a life-changing series of events.
“I think the big word is just 'grateful' overall,” he said. “God blessed me to be here. He put a lot of talent within me, and I just try to remind myself of that, that I belong here”
He’s shown that all season, playing in 15 games including the playoffs, mostly on special teams, but occasionally on defense as well including a start against New England in the season finale.
“The trust that you see from the coaches when they assign more responsibility to you, because it shows that they trust you and everything like that. And from there it’s just producing,” he said.
He credits his parents for sacrificing and guiding him through the ups and downs of career. Living at home with them during his rookie season has taken stress off his plate while he focuses on his career.
It’s been an adjustment for him becoming a local celebrity, as people recognize him in the Buffalo region and sometimes ask for autographs or photos. It’s something he’s happy to do, remembering lessons his parents taught him while treating fans the way he would’ve wanted to be treated when he was in their position.
Andreessen admits he’s doubted himself in the past. But just like the rest of his team, there’s a quiet confidence as they approach the biggest game of their lives with the ultimate prize in their sights.
“It’s just another week to go out there and prove to the world that we’re the real deal, and we’re doing everything we can in this building to make sure that happens,” he said.
