The Buffalo Bills have a rich history as a football franchise that has been around for over 60 years. Founded as a charter member of the AFL in 1959, it became part of the NFL as part of the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. With such a deep history behind them, the team has built some unique traditions that come out in full force regularly. However, on that long list of nostalgia is a relatively new tradition that came to the limelight on Thursday Night.
Kicking off Week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season with a game against the Miami Dolphins, viewers may have been confused about what happened after the game. As they secured a comfortable 31-21 victory, the Buffalo faithful started chanting the phrase “Take It Off” in unison. Here is what the bizarre chant and tradition signify for fans at Highmark Stadium.
Why Were Buffalo Bills Fans Chanting “Take It Off”?
After the game, the post-game panel began breaking down what they had seen from the two sides. Among the group was former Bills great Ryan Fitzpatrick. A 17-year career in the league saw him suit up for nine different organizations.
However, he enjoyed his longest stint with Buffalo, where he spent four years starting in 2009. Since he took over the role in the broadcasting booth, victories in home games for the Bills came with a unique tradition.
Lmao Fitz 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vOYCyi1a2P
— DirtyOughtGuido (@Devoguido) September 19, 2025
The fan base at Highmark would collectively chant the phrase as the NFL record holder for most consecutive games with 400+ passing yards tore off his shirt in an euphoric display. This time, too, it was no different, as the crowd continued its chant until Fitzpatrick finally acquiesced to their demands.
OMG FITZ LMAO pic.twitter.com/RkH1afG6Pb
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 19, 2025
All the while, their current quarterback, Josh Allen, was cheering them on, as one fan summarized, “#BillsMafia chanting ‘take it off’ to @FitzMagic_14, and @JoshAllenQB claiming it to be ‘their reward’ for winning…only on @NFLonPrime.”
Others, however, were simply flabbergasted by how bizarre the entire situation was, with one fan claiming, “I’ve heard all different kinds of chants at a football game. This is the first time I’ve ever heard ‘Take it off’ and ‘One more button'”
However, for the Bills Mafia, the overwhelming feeling was simply joy as their team took a commanding 3-0 lead for the first seed in the conference. “@FitzMagic_14 #BillsMafia I just cheered at home for a man taking his shirt off !!!!! Go Fitz Go !!! Take it off !!!!”
It is a long NFL season, and we are just getting started. But through three weeks, Buffalo stacks up as well as just about any other team in the league. It remains to be seen how they continue their momentum and just how many times Fitzpatrick needs to take his shirt off.
For the time being, though, it is an outright party in Buffalo.
