In yet another example of dangerous, drunken behavior by a fan base that routinely makes more news than the team it supports, a Buffalo Bills booster was seen setting himself on fire Sunday by crashing through a flaming table.
The move, popularized by professional wrestlers, has become popular among Bills supporters in the New Era Field parking lot before games.
In a video that has been posted on social media, the fan is seen jumping on the flaming table and catching himself on fire. He managed to hold on to his cup throughout the ordeal, but as the fan attempts to stand, he realizes that his Sammy Watkins jersey is engulfed in flames and begins rolling around on the ground.
Several other Bills fans came to the rescue of their comrade by pouring beer on him.
A Bills fan lines up his attempt to jump through a burning table before Sunday’s game
While still holding his cup, the Bills fan can be seen laughing as the back of his jersey burns
That was only one incident on a day in which Orchard Park, NY police responded to over 100 calls before, during, and after the Bills’ 30-27 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Police and EMS workers were ‘very busy’ responding to medical calls connected to alcohol consumption, a police spokesperson told The Buffalo News.
As dangerous as it is to jump into a burning table, these types of incidents have become a tradition before Bills games. In fact, a video of a similar stunt made its way around social media at the end of last season.
In another video, a Bills fan can been seen breaking his leg after jump off of an SUV and through a folding table.
SEE VIDEO BELOW
The other incidents on Sunday included one two-car collision in which a male driver allegedly drove into a parked car before switching seats with his female passenger. The two attempted to flee the scene but were stopped by the police and charged with DWI and aggravated DWI, among other violations.
Driver Louis J. Mueller, 32, allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.23, whereas passenger Ashley R. Mejia, 26, allegedly had a BAC of 0.19.
The parking lot – a muddy field where many Bills fans are known to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol while tailgating – was also the scene of a counterfeit sting on Sunday.
Orchard Park detectives working with the NFL cracked down on counterfeit NFL merchandise sales, making nice arrests and charging the accused with trademark counterfeiting and soliciting without a permit.
Local police stressed that not all fans were acting inappropriately on Sunday in Orchard Park
Buffalo Bills Luc Traman (right) and Don Calhoun (center) play Jenga on Sunday
A Buffalo Bills fan before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bills have not reached the playoffs since 1999 and have had 10 head coaches since then
‘We also had a significant increase in accidents,’ Orchard Park Police Chief Mark Pacholec told WIVB.
‘This is a question of behavior,’ Pacholec said. ‘People need to behave, people need to act appropriately and make sure they’re safe to drive.’
To the local residents of Orchard Park – a small suburb outside of Buffalo – the parking lot situation has only deteriorated over the years.
One resident, Matt Fisher, told WIVB that the town needs to crack down on the unsafe behavior.
‘I think there’s too much of it, I don’t think they’re doing anything to stop it,’ said Fisher. ‘The Sheriffs are out there doing nothing but waving traffic on, not looking for any problems at all unless something that’s just unbelievable happens in front of them.’
According to Pacholec, the vast majority of Bills fans are not to blame.
‘There’s always 10 percent of the people that just aren’t going to follow the rules,’ he said.
The Buffalo Bills have never won a Super Bowl despite winning the AFC every year from 1990 to 1993.
Remarkably the franchise has not reached the playoffs since 1999 and current coach, Sean McDermott, is the team’s 11th since 2000.
In 2014, current President Donald Trump attempted to buy the franchise, but his bid was ultimately declined.
Despite the 100 calls to police during the game, Bills fans enjoyed a 30-27 win over Tampa Bay
Buffalo Bills fans during the second half against the New York Jets on September 10
The Bills are currently 4-2 and hope to reach the playoffs for the first time this millennium