In 1960, the Buffalo Bills found their new home in Western New York.
And it fell right into the back yard of Eric Matwijow, who's called Western New York home for his entire life.
"Before the stadium came around, that's where we used to play baseball and football and pheasant hunting, and sledding down Deadman's Hill in the back area and then going down into the creek," he said. "This is the neighborhood where I grew up."
37 years later, Matwijow is known to most people as "Hammer," the owner of Hammer's Lot, which sits across the street from New Era Field at 4170 Abbott Road in Orchard Park.
"The opportunity came up to buy this property, and I was the first one that had that opportunity, so I said 'Yeah, I'm going to try it,'" smiled Hammer, who counts himself as one of the original Bills fans in Western New York for more than 50 years.
It was rough going at first, Hammer admitted, as the Bills started their stay in Western New York with a string of losing seasons.
But soon, he'd start to see the bright colors of red, blue and white seeping across the city, and he wanted nothing more than to help them funnel into his newly purchased lot for some tailgating parties.
"You always want to see your venue where you're going to go to always in the background, very important for tailgating," Hammer said.
Now, Hammer is known for keeping his lot clean, safe, and friendly for anyone... except Patriots fans, according to Hammer.
"Life's problems are out there," said Hammer, referencing everything that stretches beyond his Abbott Road entrance. "Once they step over here, I'm responsible that they have a good time. I take it very very serious."
And part of that good time, according to Hammer, is his dry, loud sense of humor that can get a crowd of tailgaters roaring in laughter.
"No Bon Jovi," he'll shout at one group of fans.
"I'm not the smartest guy in the world," he'll laugh with another.
But he's seen a who's who of Bills tailgating super-fans work their way through Hammer's Lot over the years-- including Pancho Billa and Pinto Ron, to name a few-- who have brought countless charitable enterprises to the masses of blue-white-and-red-clad fans.
So when all is said and done, there's one message he makes sure to deliver to each fan in his lot, once he's done laughing with them and busting their chops.
"Thank you guys very much for supporting my lot," Hammer will smile. "I appreciate it."
You can watch all of our previous Meet The Mafia stories here:
Meet the Mafia: Del Reid
Meet the Mafia: "The Chefs"
Meet The Mafia: "Bills Elvis"
Meet The Mafia: "Hannabill Lecter"
Meet The Mafia: "Pancho Billa"
Meet The Mafia: Joanie Podkowinski-DeKoker
Meet The Mafia: Breyon Harris & Leslie Wille
Meet The Mafia: Major Patrick Miller
Meet The Mafia: "Billsfoot"
Meet The Mafia: "Bills Dad"