Ralph Wilson enters the Hall on cloud nine

Reporting in from Canton, Ohio, as Ralph C. Wilson Jr. became the first member of the 2009 class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bills Hall of Famers join on the dais with first 2009 enshrinee Ralph Wilson Jr.

Aided by a boisterous and clearly blue shirted Buffalo cotingent in the audience, presernted Chris Berman of ESPN gave a stirring opening address. “The Swami” commended the Hall of Fame Committee, saying “this was one of the wisest selections the committee has made in a while.” Berman added, “The Bills still belong to Buffalo because your owner has given you his word.” Then he asked Bills fans to offer the Berman signature chant, and all obliged “No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!”

Wilson approached the podium, hugging fellow enshrinee Bruce Smith. Wilson shared numerous anecdotes about the early days of the Bills. He poignantly mentioned his daughter Linda Bogdan, who worked for the team as a scout, and who recently passed away from cancer. “I’m closing in on 91, and I still feel like I have youth on my side” And with that Wilson closed his remarks.