This week, we take a look at our first dancer as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. Murissa is in her 4th season and can be found anchoring one end of Valerie's line next to Krystin. This self-admitted princess says this will be her final season on the squad but I am one of many who hope that won't be the case. That extends to more than just the fans that see her on gamedays. Last season, she took not one, but two trips to the Middle East to visit with and perform for the troops stationed there. Obviously the soldiers fell in love with her because of not only her beauty, but her fun and loving personality. The feeling was definitely mutual as I'm sure those trips will be among the highlights of Murissa's Jills career. It's going to be hard imagining her leaving though, just as it was for the Jill who served as her veteran buddy in her rookie season, longtime Ambassador captain Kelly H. They each have these incredible personalities that not only make them great to know, but shine through in their photos. And Murissa is someone who just loves having her photo taken and will strike a pose for the camera in virtually any situation it seems...lol.You can read more about Murissa at http://www.buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961256 Murissa's secondary photo comes from the 9th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tourney and features Murissa, Lisa, and Natalie posing for the camera. Just prior to taking this pic, Murissa gave Lisa a big hug...just to soak up some of the water from Lisa's time in the dunk tank on a pretty hot day...lol.
Murissa, Lisa, and Natalie
Finally, take a look back at Murissa's routine from 1st cuts held at the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse where she performed alongside Reena.
So far this season, both home Bills games have had rain in the forecast but thankfully, they've both had exceptional weather instead, which made things great for the fans both tailgating and in the stands as well as for the players. It also made things great for the Jills, who didn't have to cover up with ponchos like was expected and could perform all their routines and performances.
Jessica and Keisha with a member of the 1974 Buffalo Jills
After breaking away from my tailgate party, I wandered over to the 97Rock Tailgate Party where Jessica and Keisha were selling and signing calendars as well as posing for pictures. Jessica told me that she had dreamed the night before that the Bills would win and, even though her dream was off on the final score, she had to be happy about the final result anyway. Nearby, Amanda F was working with DJ Jickster, known as the Jills #2 fan, with other promotions for 97Rock, one of the main sponsors of the Buffalo Jills.
Ruby, Shannon, and Courteney
After that, it was off to the Shredd and Ragan Tailgate Party in Lot C where Ruby and Courteney were posing for lots of photos and Shannon was helping out The Edge with some promotions while Laura and Alyssa were at a private party there at the Tailgate.
Christina's line
Natalie and Christina
Dance captains Christina, Omarlla, and Valerie posing for the camera
Before long, Christina's line arrived on the scene for their performance in Lot C. One thing introduced at the Shredd and Ragan Tailgate Party last year was this performance by several dancers on the Jills and it was very well-received by the fans. This season, they added on another performance at 10am and instead of taking volunteers among the dancers to perform, one line is chosen each week. After posing as a line for several photos, the girls put on a high energy performance before posing in small groups with the fans for photos. After they performed and posed for a lot of photos, I headed back to my tailgate party to get things put away and then head into the stadium for the game.
Kelly, Valerie, and Gabrielle
Jills Choreographer Kelli makes a rare gameday appearance with Steph
Jaclyn and Emily about to come out for 2nd half
Lindsey, Bri, Jaclyn, Gabrielle, and Amanda V cheering at the end of the game
The game itself was one that Bills fans will remember for many years. For one, the Bills came back from an 18-point deficit 2 weeks in a row, something that has never happened before in the NFL with any team. For another, the win came after 15 straight losses to New England, and that was despite some seriously biased officiating early on. The last time the Bills won over the Pats*, Omarlla was the only current Jill on the team and Steph and Kelli were in their 2nd years running the squad.
Next up, the Jills will be continuing to work with over 100 Buffalo Jills alumni on getting ready for a huge pregame performance before the Eagles game on October 9th for Breast Cancer Awareness.
This week, we take a look at 3rd year vet Alyssa as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. Alyssa is an award-winning Ambassador on the squad having won rookie of the year in 2009 and Outstanding Ambassador in 2010. A recent college graduate, she wasn't even sure she'd be able to return to the squad this year depending on her job situation. Thankfully, she's one of Western NY's college grads staying home after landing a job at a local company. Part of a group of 3 close friends who tried out together in 2009 dubbed the 3 Musketeers, Alyssa is the only one remaining on the Ambassador Squad with Nicole dancing and Kristen retiring after last season. Alyssa describes herself as a people person and loves getting to interact with the fans on gamedays and at events and appearances. Those aren't just words, either. I've noticed her repeatedly going out of her way to talk to fans the past couple of years that I've known her. She's obviously someone no guy would avoid talking to with her beauty but when you get to know her, you easily see why squadmates and other friends know her more for her warm and fun personality than anything else. There's one example of her warmth that comes to mind in which she did something for a friend that meant a lot...I can't say anything specific about that on here but trust me when I say what Alyssa did spoke a lot about what kind of a person she is. As far as her fun personality, one thing her squadmates think of is some of the silly things she says. In her rookie year, she had so many Alyssa-isms that Amanda F even made a list!! You can read more about Alyssa at http://www.buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961012 Alyssa's secondary photo is from the 9th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament and was taken while the golfers were coming in from the course for dinner. Shown posing for a photo are the last two remaining members of the 3 Musketeers, Nicole and Alyssa.
It was a very warm day in Orchard Park as the Bills played host to the Oakland Raiders after both teams started off the season 1-0. After some tailgating, it was time to go to work and I started off in the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse where Courteney and Sara were posing for photos and signing autographs for the fans.
Courteney and Sara
After the Fieldhouse, I went off towards the 97Rock Tailgate party but before I had gone that far, I ran into another NFL Cheerleader...from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, in town to root on her boyfriend.
Kelsi's mother, Kelsi Reich of the DCC, David Nelson's mother, David's brother
After talking with Kelsi for a little bit, it was off to the 97Rock Tailgate party where Laura, Rebecca, and Reena were selling and signing plenty of swimsuit calendars as well as posing for photos. While there, we even had a special guest in 2010 Jills alumnus Jessica W who does currently plan to return in 2012.
Reena, Jessica W, Rebecca, and Laura at the 97Rock Tailgate
After spending some time with the current Buffalo Jill of The Week and the rest of the girls, I went over to the Shredd and Ragan tailgate party on Lot C where Keisha, Amanda F, Alyssa, and Miranda were posing for pics and signing and selling calendars while Shannon was helping with the games being played at the tailgate party. While there, we had another pair of special guests who were in town for the game and were on Lot C to see the Jills perform at 11:30....the twins Jenica and Jessica!
Jessica K, Alyssa, and Jenica in Lot C
Before long, Omarlla's line joined the tailgate party and posed for some photos before performing for the crowd.
After the performance, I went back to pack up my tailgate and head into the game and, while the Jills were waiting to come onto the field for their pregame performance, they posed for a few photos in the tunnel including one with soon-to-be HOF WR Andre Reed.
Andre Reed with the 2011 Buffalo Jills!
After pregame, they welcomed the team onto the field before regrouping to head back out to perform on the sidelines during the game.
Welcoming Marcell Dareus onto the field
Jenny, Christina, Gina, Nicole, and Jami
Halftime was a special event as Phil Hansen, a solid DE who was a steady force for the Bills throughout the 90s, was added to the Wall of Fame.
Jills on the field for the Hansen Wall of Fame induction
Krystin, Murissa, Melissa, and Loren on the sidelines
Myesha, Lindsey, and Briana in the 4th quarter
After the game, a thrilling comeback which had the Bills down 21-3 at the half but come back to win it 38-35, I ran into Kelsi again as well as 2009 Jills Calendar Covergirl Katy R but I didn't think to snap any photos...I hadn't seen Katy in over a year and was just happy to see her again. See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/26821
Next up, the Jills will be back in action as the Bills play host to the New England Patriots next Sunday at 1pm and don't forget to swing by Lot C at 11:30 to see a Jills dance line perform at the Shredd and Ragan tailgate party.
But before that, they'll be starting to prepare this week for a huge pregame performance with over 100 Buffalo Jills alumni that will take place before the Eagles game on October 9th.
