ROCHESTER, N.Y. (NCC News) — Geno Allport was not expecting Bills Fan of the Year status. However, the fact that he has a Bills wedding ring, got married at Highmark Stadium, has a Bills tattoo and worked as a Bills security guard so he would not miss a game due to COVID-19 certainly makes him worthy.
Allport’s son, Tre, secretly nominated his father for the award, and sure enough, his dad was selected as the greatest Bills fanatic. Members of the Bills surprised Allport with the honor at one of his youth football practices.
“I see my son coming up with a jersey behind me. I see the fan of the year thing on there and I’m like, what’s this?” Allport said. “A couple people from the Bills are there and say, ‘hey, Geno Allport, you’ve been selected as the Bills Fan of the Year.”
Allport’s Bills fandom began in 1974 when his late father purchased season tickets. Since then, Allport has only missed four games.
“It literally is our DNA. When you’re in Albion and if you say Bills, you’re thinking Allport’s,” he said.
Allport is also heavily involved in his local community. For the past 20 years, Allport has managed the Albion youth football program, and was named commissioner of the Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program.
Allport received two tickets to the Super Bowl in February. While the Bills weren’t in the big game, Allport has hope for the future.
“I think we are winning [the Super Bowl] next year. All I want is one ring,” he said. “We just need one.”
