At a Glance
- Bills host Jets for final game at Highmark Stadium.
- Chris Clark, longtime security chief, reflects on 50 years of memories.
- New $2.1B Bills stadium across the street will open next season.
- Why it matters: marks end of a historic era and the community’s football legacy.
The Buffalo Bills are closing a 50-year chapter at Highmark Stadium with a Sunday showdown against the New York Jets. Former vice-president of security Chris Clark looks back on a life spent in and around the venue, while a new $2.1 billion arena waits just across the street.
A Lifetime of Memories
In the 1960s, Monsignor Leo McCarthy sent Clark and friends to the abandoned farm field that would become the stadium, letting beagles chase rabbits to keep the kids out of trouble. That early adventure helped shape Clark’s future career, which has spanned directing game-day traffic in the 1970s to serving as the Bills’ security chief since 2006.
Chris Clark said:
> ‘What they wouldn’t do to keep me out of jail,’ he said with a laugh.
He has overseen security for events ranging from the Rolling Stones concert to the 2008 NHL Winter Classic, and even a 2000 incident where Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were arrested for riding a sheriff’s horse.
- Rolling Stones concert
- 2008 NHL Winter Classic
- 2000 Tim McGraw & Kenny Chesney incident
- 1992 playoff comeback
The Final Game
The Sunday matchup against the Jets marks the last time the Bills will play in the old stadium. Clark reflects on the bittersweet ending.
Chris Clark said:
> ‘I know there’s a big, beautiful prize across the street,’ he said, referring to the new $2.1 billion stadium set to open next season.
Chris Clark added:
> ‘But it’s like walking out the door of the home you got married. We’re almost ready to close the doors on my second home.’
Community Legacy
Mary Wilson, the late founder’s wife, praised the stadium’s role in the city’s identity. She said the venue brought people together and introduced her to football.
Mary Wilson said:
> ‘All those years and all the people we’ve had in our box, yeah, Ralph did it right. They built a great stadium. Every seat was great.’
Mary Wilson added:
> ‘It’s saying hello to the new.’
Notable Games
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Stadium opens | First game 9-7 vs Jets |
| 1980 | Season opener | 17-7 vs Miami, ended 20-game losing streak |
| 1992 | Wild-card playoff | 41-38 OT win over Houston Oilers |
| 2008 | NHL Winter Classic | First outdoor NHL game |
| 2017 | OT win | 13-7 vs Indianapolis in near-whiteout |
The stadium’s legacy extends beyond football, serving as a community anchor and a place where families meet and memories are made.
Key Takeaways
- The Bills’ final game at Highmark Stadium will be played against the Jets on Sunday.
- Chris Clark, the security chief, has spent 50 years protecting the venue and sharing its history.
- A $2.1 billion arena will replace the old stadium next season, signaling a new era for Buffalo football.
The move to a new stadium marks the end of an era, but the memories forged in the old arena will live on in the hearts of fans and the city’s collective story.
