Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills

Thanksgiving in Buffalo is about more than turkey and touchdowns—it’s about community, tradition, and small gestures that make Bills Mafia feel like family. This year, the Buffalo Bills added a fun, flavorful twist to their holiday celebrations with a heartfelt shoutout to local jerky snacks, highlighting a beloved Western New York brand that has supported the team for years. The shoutout, which came via social media and a surprise locker room delivery, wasn’t just a nod to a tasty treat—it was a way to honor local businesses, connect with fans over shared traditions, and add a little extra energy to the team’s Thanksgiving week preparations. Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills explores the story behind the gesture, how it came together, the fan and community response, and why it’s the kind of small, personal touch that makes the Bills stand out in the NFL.

Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills began with a simple idea: celebrate the holiday by highlighting a local business that embodies Western New York’s spirit. The team partnered with “Buffalo Bold Jerky,” a family-owned company based in Tonawanda that has been making small-batch, spicy jerky for over a decade. Known for its “Bills Mafia Blaze” flavor—infused with buffalo sauce and a hint of maple, a nod to the region’s iconic tastes—the brand has long been a favorite among players and fans alike. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, the Bills’ official Instagram account posted a video of players like Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Matt Milano sampling the jerky in the locker room, laughing as they reacted to the spicy kick. “Shoutout to @BuffaloBoldJerky for keeping us fueled this Thanksgiving week,” the caption read. “Nothing hits like local flavor—especially when it’s got that Bills Mafia heat. Happy Thanksgiving, Bills Nation!” The video quickly went viral, racking up over 500,000 views in 24 hours and sparking a wave of excitement among fans.

To understand why Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills resonated so deeply, look at the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. The Bills didn’t just promote a brand—they wove it into their holiday narrative, connecting the jerky to Thanksgiving traditions in Western New York. For many locals, jerky is a staple of holiday gatherings: it’s served as an appetizer at family dinners, packed into weekend hunting trips, and shared at Bills watch parties. By highlighting Buffalo Bold Jerky, the team tapped into those shared memories, making fans feel seen and appreciated. The brand, in turn, embraced the shoutout, offering a “Bills Thanksgiving Bundle” (two bags of jerky plus a free Bills-themed koozie) that sold out within hours. “We’ve been Bills fans our whole lives, so to get a shoutout from the team is a dream come true,” said Mike Petry, co-owner of Buffalo Bold Jerky. “The Bills don’t just support local businesses—they celebrate them. That’s what makes this community so special.” The gesture also aligned with the Bills’ long-standing commitment to lifting up Western New York, from their annual turkey drives to their support of small businesses during the holidays.

Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills also included a surprise element that brought joy to both players and fans: a jerky delivery to the Bills’ practice facility on Thanksgiving Eve. The Buffalo Bold Jerky team dropped off cases of their products, which were distributed to players, coaches, and staff to take home to their families. Defensive end Ed Oliver, known for his love of spicy food, was caught on camera grabbing three bags of the “Bills Mafia Blaze” flavor, joking, “I need this for my Thanksgiving spread—my cousins will go crazy for it.” Head coach Sean McDermott even got in on the fun, holding up a bag and saying, “This is what community is all about—supporting each other, sharing good food, and celebrating together. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.” For the Buffalo Bills, the delivery wasn’t just a way to treat the team—it was a reminder of the people who make their success possible. “We’re not just a football team—we’re part of this community,” McDermott said later. “Shouting out local businesses like Buffalo Bold Jerky is our way of saying thank you for all the support they give us, not just during the season, but all year long.”

Another layer of Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills is the fan response, which turned a simple social media post into a full-fledged holiday movement. Fans took to Twitter and Instagram to share photos of their own Thanksgiving plans featuring Buffalo Bold Jerky, using the hashtag #BillsJerkyThanksgiving. One fan posted a picture of her family’s Thanksgiving table, with a bowl of jerky next to the cranberry sauce and a Bills flag hanging in the background. “This year, we’re thankful for two things: family and Bills jerky,” she wrote. Local grocery stores reported a surge in demand for Buffalo Bold Jerky, with some locations selling out of the “Bills Mafia Blaze” flavor within days. The brand even received orders from Bills fans across the country, from Florida to California, who wanted to add a taste of Western New York to their Thanksgiving. “We never expected this kind of response,” Petry said. “It just goes to show how powerful Bills Mafia is—they support their own, no matter where they are.” For the Buffalo Bills, this fan enthusiasm was the best Thanksgiving gift of all. “Seeing our fans rally around a local business like this makes us proud,” said Bills Chief Marketing Officer Steve Tasker. “It’s a reminder that Bills Mafia isn’t just a fan base—it’s a family.”

The final dimension of Jerky Snacks Thanksgiving Shoutout from the Buffalo Bills is what it says about the team’s identity. In a league where many teams focus on big-name partnerships and national brands, the Bills have always prioritized local connections. From their use of Buffalo-themed uniforms to their support of local charities, they’ve made it clear that they’re not just representing a city—they’re part of it. The jerky shoutout is another example of that: it’s a small, genuine gesture that doesn’t try to be flashy, but instead celebrates the people and traditions that make Western New York unique. As the Bills prepared for their Thanksgiving weekend game against the Dallas Cowboys, the jerky shoutout served as a lighthearted reminder of why they play: for the community, for the fans, and for the shared joy of football and family. “Thanksgiving is about gratitude,” Josh Allen said in a post-game interview. “We’re grateful for our fans, for our community, and for little moments like this that bring us all together. Shouting out Buffalo Bold Jerky was just our way of saying thanks—and having a little fun while we’re at it.” For the Buffalo Bills and Bills Mafia, this Thanksgiving will be remembered not just for the game, but for the jerky, the laughter, and the sense of community that makes their bond so special. Happy Thanksgiving, indeed.