The Quebec chapter of the Bills Mafia sees one of their great leaders take the scourge upon himself. Not about the team that is still close to his heart, but about the legendary auditions that he has organized for 34 years. “It’s over for the tailgates, but I’m not going to drop the bills Pantout!”, specifies Bob Genest energetically.
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Last Sunday, his Bills suffered another heartbreaking loss in the playoffs, falling 27-24 to the Chiefs in Buffalo. For the team's loyal fans, it is the continuation of an endless curse.
The affable Bob Genest still wears his white Bills helmet and refuses to give up, even if this loss, the third in four years in the playoffs against the Chiefs, is hard to swallow.
“It’s always disappointing because in Buffalo we find ways to lose. There are a lot of people who blame the kicker [Tyler Bass, qui a raté un placement de 44 verges en fin de match], but in reality it was two or three missed plays that changed the course of the game. “It’s another good year lost,” he laments.
The end of an era
So there's no question of abandoning his eternal loyalty to the Bills, but it's time to support the team in other ways.
Since 1989, Bob Genest has become something of a legend to many football fans due to his unparalleled hospitality before Bills games.
His increasingly popular tailgates attract dozens of Quebec fans every week to spread the word. To the point where the beast became too much for him.
“I've been thinking for a long time. After I won on Sunday I wouldn't have made that announcement, but basically I was there. The Tailgate event has become bigger than the game.
“In the 1990s I had time to organize everything. Now there is a queue, so many people to serve! It ends when I get to my place and I don't always see the warm-up. It’s a bit of a shock for people who have come often, but I’ve given enough,” he concludes.
Bob Genest, flanked by many Bills supporters and the Quebec flag. Photo Stephane Cadorette
Always present
Fear not, Bills Mafia soldiers! Bob Genest will not give up his numerous season tickets, which he will continue to sell. The 59-year-old self-employed man from Blainville, who runs mobile cafeterias, simply won't be the first to arrive and the last to leave anymore, as quarterbacks on a team do.
In the long term, we can understand that this whole operation tires his husband, as well as his partner Hélène, who is just as busy in the pots and on the grill as he is.
Bob Genest estimates that about 120 pounds of chili, nearly 4,000 meatballs and numerous other foods were prepared for about 980 hungry people last season.
Like everywhere else, inflation has made him question himself.
“Food prices are constantly rising and I can’t charge people excessively for it,” he argues.
“If anyone wants to continue the tailgate events, great,” he says.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOB GENEST
Unforgettable memories
In recent months a Facebook page called Bob Buffalo Bills Tickets and Tailgate was created. It already has 936 members, which led Bob to believe that the number of meatballs being formed would not decrease in the coming years.
However, he doesn't hide the fact that next September he might be itching to organize tailgates again.
However, there is no question of giving in. This “retirement” appears to be final.
“It's certain that things will work out for me a little in September, but I'm there. This allowed me to make friendships that have lasted all these years. There were people who initially came with their children. Today these children bring their children with them. For me, this is my reward,” he concludes, enunciating his message one last time just to make sure he is understood.
“That won’t change, I’ll always stand behind the Bills.”
The next generation is already ready with Bob Genest's granddaughters Alycia and Sofia. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOB GENEST
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Bills legends
One of the things Bob Genest has enjoyed over the years is meeting Bills legends. “We met a lot of great players like Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley… We met Marv Levy. We met the Bills owners and they walked us onto the field and gave us a tour of the locker room. We were there to retire Jim Kelly's number. That is something!”
Huge tailgates
Even though Bob Genest is used to tailgates, there are two events he finds hard to forget. “Six or seven years ago I served 243 people before a game against the Steelers. I had a lot of friends in Pittsburgh. I remember it took all my time, but with lots of people helping, it was very special. In Laval I already had 493 people before I left for an Alouettes game.”
The immortal Doug Flutie
Bob Genest estimates he has seen more than 340 Bills games. He particularly appreciated the work of quarterback Doug Flutie in the late 1990s with his exceptional plays. “I saw so many special games. Doug Flutie gave us many unique moments, even if he couldn't see beyond his offensive line!
Return to Buffalo in the playoffs
The Bills' long 17-year drought without a playoff appearance between 2000 and 2016 didn't shake Bob Genest's confidence, but he was pleased to finally experience a playoff game again in Buffalo last year. “I remember the Bills returning to the playoffs in 2017. It happened in Jacksonville and the next year in Houston. I couldn't go and then there were the two years of pandemic. We had to wait until last year against the Dolphins and Bengals to finally take advantage of that.
Meeting with LDT in Kansas City
Not all notable moments necessarily took place in Buffalo. “I went to the Bills in Kansas City with a group of ten people. We were sitting in a bar and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif came towards us. He signed many things and stayed for about forty minutes. The boys were really surprised to see this. We have the privilege of experiencing all of these moments