Terry Pegula ushers in new era for Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK –The Pegula Family ownership of the Buffalo Bills started with a bang today.

Terry and Kim Pegula, who took ownership of the team this week succeeding the late Ralph Wilson, were introduced to a crowd of more than 70,000 at sold-out Ralph Wilson Stadium before Buffalo (3-2) squared off against the New England Patriots (3-2). Fireworks and the national anthem, performed by Buffalo native John Rezeznik, lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls, also preceded the AFC East showdown for first place.

Watch: Terry Pegula addresses the crowd before the Bills game

Introduced over by EPSN's Chris Berman, who spoke on the giant video scoreboard via a pre-recorded message, the Pegulas were introduced and jogged out with their children from the tunnel behind one of the endzones. They all wore blue Bills jerseys with the No. 1. The family dog, Sidney, also trotted out to the middle of the field at The Ralph, too, in a Bills jersey.

Watch the OneBuffalo tribute video.

"OK guys, that's enough," Terry Pegula said, trying to quiet a standing ovation that lasted about a minute. "We've got a game today!"

Berman introduced the Pegulas to the crowd as the "second owners in Buffalo Bills franchise history." Wilson, who died in March at age 95, owned the team for 54 years.

"I must say that there aren't many times in life that I'm happy with being second at anything, but to follow up Ralph Wilson, I'll accept that," Terry Pegula said, addressing the crowd. "I know you guys love us. You've shown that. I've heard it, witnessed it. But you need take all that heart and emotion and give it to your football team today!"

The crowd roared before Pegula deadpanned, "Has anybody seen my dog?" Chants of "Ter-ry! Ter-ry!" broke out and the crowd participated in a "card stunt."

Fans were instructed over the public-address system to hold up placards beneath their seats. When they held them up in unison, those in the upper deck spelled out, "one" and the lower decked spelled out, "BUFFALO."