Yesterday, while walking out of Home Depot, I witnessed a truly bizarre sight. It was a witch, flying on a broomstick, soaring through the air just above the parking lot. At first, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It seemed like a scene straight out of a Halloween movie. But as I squinted my eyes and focused, there was no denying it – a witch was on a flying mission near Home Depot. The witch was astride a worn-out broomstick, clad in a long black cloak with a pointed hat atop her head.
Before enjoying super success, the Bills first need to 'reverse the curse'
Despite participating in four of the 56 Super Bowls, the Buffalo Bills have yet to win the NFL championship game. For those fans searching for answers, Greg Brown, sports columnist for the Challenger, says it's due to a curse that dates back to 1966.
"It is said that the curse was put upon Buffalo after that shabby treatment of Ernie Warlick," Brown explained. "Some say it's just urban legend; others say there is certainly truth to it."
The Bills were back-to-back winners of the championship of the American Football League in 1964 & 1965, the years prior to the start of what is now the Super Bowl.
"In fact, he (Warlick) was one of the key contributors. He was the starting tight end and he caught a key touchdown pass against the Chargers and Buffalo won (the championship game) in an upset victory."
According to Brown, Warlick arrived to training camp the following year needing to play one more game to qualify for an AFL pension. That game never came.
"Ralph Wilson (owner of the Buffalo Bills) cuts him. The story was that because Ernie Warlick was one game from his pension, Ralph would save some money and get a younger, cheaper player."
Brown says it's part of the mixed legacy of Ralph Wilson who was often criticized throughout his many years as team owner for cost-cutting moves.
"But the interesting thing about him was that at his demise he left these incredible fortunes both to the city of Buffalo and the city of Detroit," Brown pointed out.
"That was an incredibly generous and loving gesture."
Bills fans, of course, would love to win a Super Bowl. Brown says that's why it's time to 'reverse the curse.'
"It would be a wonderful thing for the Bills. It would at least clear the way of any supernatural forces that could stand in their way. But it would also be a good opportunity for this city to come together in support of a cause that is near to everyone and that is the Bills making it to--and winning--Super Bowl LVII," said Brown who is calling on the expanding membership of the Bills Mafia to join him in this quest.
What if the curse were to be reversed and the Bills were to win the Super Bowl?
"I think it would change the rotational axis of the Earth. I think it would be big for Buffalo. I think the city has been on the rebound but I think it would give it some added boost. I think it will make this region feel even better about itself," Brown said.
"I think that the Bills will be an emblem for the kind of heart, guts and moxie that they have shown, but has really been a reflection of this community."
‘The Buffalo Sports Curse’ examines 120 years of bad luck in new RIT Press book
‘The Buffalo Sports Curse’ traces 120 years of the city’s professional sports.
Did someone put a hex on professional sports in Buffalo, N.Y.? Sports writer Greg D. Tranter thinks so. His new book makes a case for the curse, beginning in 1901, when the promise of an original American League baseball franchise in Buffalo came and went—to Boston.
Tranter digs into the city’s long history of upsets in The Buffalo Sports Curse: 120 Years of Pain, Disappointment, Heartbreak, and Eternal Optimism, published by RIT Press. He investigates why Buffalo has never won “a universally recognized championship in any of the four major professional sports in America: baseball, basketball, football and hockey.” (The author dismisses the Buffalo Bills’1964 and 1965 American Football League championships as secondary to the National Football League in that era.)
Tranter traces the curse on professional sports in Buffalo to a trifecta of bad luck in 1901, beginning with the lost bid for the new major league baseball franchise, extending to the assassination of President William F. McKinley while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, and sealed by the sudden death of the owner of the Buffalo Bison’s minor league baseball team. The book catalogues 120 years of cursed moments.
“All of the close calls, blown calls, injuries, deaths, nefarious back-office dealings, maladies, and weird happenings have occurred at just the wrong time to keep Buffalo teams from winning those championships,” Tranter writes. “Buffalo’s losing ways are too pronounced to ignore, which gives rise to the idea of a curse.”
Buffalo sports fans are the champions in Tranter’s book. He lauds their extreme loyalty and devotion, and details some of the curse-countering rituals that are woven into Buffalo’s saga.
To purchase a copy of The Buffalo Sports Curse, contact RIT Press at 585-475-5819 or [email protected].
The witch was astride a worn-out broomstick, clad in a long black cloak with a pointed hat atop her head. She had a mischievous grin on her face and was cackling loudly as she zoomed around in the sky. Passersby couldn't help but stop and stare, their jaws dropping in astonishment.
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Curses!
The sight of a witch flying near a hardware store was certainly out of the ordinary, to say the least. It was as if she had been sent on a mission to create chaos or perhaps to gather supplies for some mysterious potion. Whatever the reason, it was clear that this witch was on a mission and meant business. As I watched her perform daring stunts in the air, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought her here, of all places. Was she seeking some kind of magical ingredient that could only be found in the aisles of Home Depot? Or was she simply drawn to the bustling atmosphere and vibrant energy of the store? One thing was for sure – this witch had captured the attention of everyone around. People were snapping pictures on their phones, eagerly sharing the strange encounter on social media. It was a moment that would be etched in their memories for years to come. Eventually, the witch began to descend, gracefully landing back on the ground near the entrance of Home Depot. With a final gleeful cackle, she hopped off her broomstick and disappeared into the crowd. The onlookers, still in awe of what they had just witnessed, slowly went back to their daily routines, their minds buzzing with questions and theories about the witch's flying mission near Home Depot. While the reasons behind the witch's presence near the hardware store remain a mystery, one thing is certain – it was an unforgettable sight that brought a touch of magic to an otherwise ordinary day..
Reviews for "The witch's broom takes flight: A paranormal sighting near Home Depot"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch on a flying mission near home depot". The plot was incredibly weak and the characters seemed one-dimensional. I struggled to connect with any of them and found myself losing interest quickly. The writing itself was also subpar, with clunky dialogue and awkward descriptions. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book.
2. Emily - 1/5 - I had high hopes for "Witch on a flying mission near home depot", but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The story lacked any real depth or originality, and the writing was surprisingly amateurish. The pacing felt off and I found myself constantly skimming pages, waiting for something interesting to happen. The characters were forgettable and their actions often didn't make sense. I regret spending my time and money on this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Witch on a flying mission near home depot" was a disappointment from start to finish. The concept had potential, but the execution was poorly done. The plot was predictable and lacked any sort of suspense or excitement. The dialogue was unnatural and at times cringe-worthy. The book felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. I would advise others to steer clear of this one.