Buffalo natives use shovels and snow blowers to help dig grateful Bills players out

The city of Buffalo is nicknamed “The City of Good Neighbors,” and after this week’s massive snowstorm, players on the Bills saw that nickname in action.

After a storm swept through the area on Thursday, the NFL opted to move Buffalo’s game against the Cleveland Browns, which was scheduled to take place this Sunday. Parts of Orchard Park – the town where Highmark Stadium is located – saw up to 77 inches of snow.

Western New York still has a travel ban in some parts – including Buffalo – and a state of emergency is in place as the roads are covered in snow and more is on the way.

To make it to their Saturday flight on time, players began digging out their homes – with the help of some neighbors who joined in, bringing snow blowers and even providing transportation.

Bills’ Twitter account showed photos and videos of players and local residents helping them evacuate their homes.

QB’s neighbor Matt Barkley came by with a snow blower to clear his driveway.

Other neighbors, such as those of OT Spencer Brown, TE Dawson Knox, and FB Reggie Gilliam came along with multiple people and spades.

In the end, the entire team was able to make it to the airport and arrived safely in Detroit for the game. According to Bills’ Twitter account, more than 56,000 tickets have been sold for this rescheduled matchup.

The Bills canceled Friday’s practice with head coach Sean McDermott instead holding a virtual meeting to monitor players.

“I want to make sure I can look the guys in the eye and most of the guys could get in, including the staff,” coach Sean McDermott said of the team’s morning zoom. “But for the most part everyone looked like they were safe and doing well.”

“Sometimes things get a little bigger than football and then I think we also need to understand and remember that there are people who work in this and have to go to hospitals and whatever.

“So there is much more happening that is more important than today’s football.”