he 2007 season opener. Part of his recovery was aided by the Miami Project to Cur

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- With hundreds of pictures and mementos on display honouring Buffalo Bills late owner Ralph Wilson, Bruce Smith couldnt resist bringing one more on Saturday. The Hall of Fame defensive end pulled out a photo taken the day he signed his rookie contract in 1985. The picture showed Wilson with his hands across his face as if he were praying. "He has that worried look on his face, like, Lord knows, I hope Im not wasting this draft pick on this chubby kid from Norfolk, Va.," Smith said, laughing. "I thought it would be befitting I brought this, and showed some of the players. And they got a big laugh out of it." "That," said Smith, who became the NFLs career leader in sacks, "is one of my special memories." There were many during a public remembrance celebrating the 95-year-old Hall of Fame owners life. With Frank Sinatra -- Wilsons favourite -- playing over the loudspeakers, and an array of photos, trophies and souvenirs spread throughout the teams practice facility, former and current players, employees and thousands of fans paid their respects to the teams founder, who died at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich., on March 25. "The Bills are more than just a football team. Theyre family," said Matt Guarino, a 20-year season-ticket holder. "So we came to pay our respects just like we would any friend and any family member." The remembrance took place a week after a private funeral service was held in Detroit. The mood on Saturday was festive. Under grey cloudy skies and with a cold brisk wind blowing off nearby Lake Erie, a long line of fans snaked into the parking lot once the doors opened. Many wore team jerseys and posed for pictures in front of the Wilson memorabilia. The displays circled the fieldhouse, and featured many significant moments of Wilsons life: From childhood pictures to the medals he earned serving in the Navy during World War II, and photos of Wilson with his fellow American Football League founding owners. There was a painting of Wilson watching the Bills 1993 Super Bowl loss. The franchises two AFL championship trophies were displayed, as was Wilsons Pro Football Hall of Fame bust and gold jacket. In the middle of the field, the Bills recreated the layout of Wilsons office. There was a team helmet on the coffee table, press releases on his desk, as well as a picture of him and his wife Mary. And Mary Wilson was on hand. Standing near a guestbook area, she greeted fans, shared stories, signed autographs and posed for pictures. "He was a great sportsman," Wilson told one fan. "He loved competition. And thats why we got along so well. I was like that, too." In a statement released by the team, she thanked people "for their tremendous outpouring of love for Ralph." "Before he passed, he told me that he wanted people to celebrate his life after he was gone. He wasnt big on tears," she said. "Ralph most likely would have offered a funny quip about todays event. But at the same time, he would have been profoundly touched by the fans outpouring of emotion." Mary Wilson has taken over as the Bills controlling owner, a role she will maintain until the franchise is sold. Ralph Wilson expressed no interest of leaving the team to his surviving family members. The sale could take place within a year, opening the possibility the Bills could relocate. "Keeping this team here meant a lot to me," said Rich Izydorczak, whos had season tickets for 41 years. "And I hope it stays this way for a long time to come." Kathleen Hubbard, a Bills cheerleader in the early 1970s, brought a picture of Wilson posing with her and other cheerleaders on the field. A business not far from the stadium flashed the message, "You will be missed Ralph Wilson Jr.," on its electronic sign. Former Bills tight end Kevin Everett, in Buffalo for another event, made sure to show up to honour Wilson. Everett has recovered since being nearly paralyzed after sustaining a severe neck injury during the 2007 season opener. Part of his recovery was aided by the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a foundation which Wilson supported with a $1 million donation before Everett was hurt. "I thank God for his work that everything paid off to help benefit one of his players," Everett said. "He has a big heart. I thank God for what he did." Cheap Miami Marlins Jerseys . Redden played a total of 1,023 regular-season games with Ottawa, the New York Rangers, St. Louis and Boston. He finished with 457 points (109 goals, 348 assists) and a plus-160 rating over his career. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . -- Without Carey Price, the run for a first Stanley Cup in 21 years got steeper and longer for the Montreal Canadiens. http://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.com/ . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Cheap Marlins Jerseys . The 18-time champions, who havent won the title since 1990, moved two points behind Arsenal after the leaders were stunned 6-3 at Manchester City on Saturday. Defending champion Manchester United trails Arsenal by 10 points after winning 3-0 at Aston Villa to avoid a third successive league loss. Cheap MLB Jerseys . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season.NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Ryan Anderson will miss the remainder of the season because of a herniated cervical disc that has sidelined him since early January. Anderson is scheduled to have neck surgery April 8 to repair the injury, which occurred when he collided with the Celtics Gerald Wallace during a game in Boston on Jan. 3. The 6-foot-10 Pelicans forward, who hadd been averaging 19.dddddddddddd8 points during the first two months of the season, had been undergoing routine evaluations for nearly three months in hopes he would heal adequately with rest and that surgery could be avoided. However, team officials say physicians monitoring Anderson have determined that surgery will provide the six-year veteran with the best chance of a full recovery. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '