Why Western New Yorkers Really Love “Buffalo Joe” Andreessen

One player on the Buffalo Bills has won over the hearts of every single Western New York, and one big reason why is because he’s been one of us throughout his entire life. 

Joe Andreessen, a graduate of Lancaster High School, has been playing the game of football in Western New York since the very first snap. During his high school football career, Andreessen was a two-time all-state linebacker, two-time All-Western New York linebacker, and Defensive Player of the Game in the sectional championship back-to-back years, according to the official Buffalo Bills website.  

After high school, Andreessen played five seasons at Bryant University in Rhode Island before transferring to play his senior year at the University at Buffalo. 

Andreessen attended the Bills 2024 rookie minicamp to try-out for the team’s consideration, and he ended up signing on as an undrafted free agent. Now, he has been named as one of the 53 men on the Buffalo Bills roster. 

With every chapter in the Joe Andreessen story, more people started to cheer him on in hopes of his success with the Bills. And you know what else? It made more people Billieve, not just in this team and in Buffalo Joe – but in ourselves again. 

All of us have dreams in this life, right? But a staggering number of people never reach them because when we are faced with hardships, we get down on ourselves, instead of pushing through despite all obstacles presented to us. According to a 2023 study by the University of Scranton, 92% of people are likely to give up on their dreams and goals.  

That means that only 8% of people go on to achieve their life’s goals and aspirations.

Joe Andreessen is part of the 8%. He’s a guy that many of us have known or came into contact with over his journey to the Bills, and he is just like all of us: a person with dreams. 

He just preserved to achieve them. 

Yes, people love “Buffalo Joe” because they have Buffalo pride…but the real reason we love Joe? It’s because Andreessen reminded us to love ourselves, go after your goals, and never stop – even when people tell you that you can’t. 

If the Joe Andreessen story doesn’t make you want to get up and go after what you want in life, I’m not sure what else will. 

Thank you, Buffalo Joe, for reminding us that dreams can become a reality.