“Putting together a jigsaw puzzle for a bigger picture.” A dedicated fan exhibits their basement for their favorite teams

BLASDELL, NY (WIVB) – Walking down the stairs of Keith Marshall’s basement, you can feel Buffalo pride. He has dedicated his basement to the sport of Buffalo and the community that surrounds it.

“Having watched them for over 30 years, I would say they make me feel like a part of the community,” said Keith Marshall, an avid Blasdell-based Bills fan.

Marshall is an Army veteran who lives a mile from Highmark Stadium and has everything Bills has to offer. He later lost his hearing and now has cochlear implants, and even those are credited to the Bills.

Last year’s Halloween game was his first game where he wore implants and it was an experience he will never forget.

“Just a great game to hear the whistle on the field just the cheering crowd around me that I haven’t heard in years. It was just overwhelmingly awesome and just awesome to be a part of,” Marshall said.

Whether he’s cheering on the team from the stands or from his basement, his love for the Bills grows with each collectible.

“It’s fun but also tiring, and I guess that’s part of what I enjoy: just finding a place for everything,” Marshall said.

Over the years he has gotten creative in decorating his basement. From a Bills-themed Christmas tree to a crocheted tissue box to an antique Bills watch found in Arizona, every treasure has found its place.

After years of receiving gifts from his family and friends, each item on display has a story to tell.

“One day I received a strange shaped package in the mail which happened to be the spatula. When I opened it, I was a bit confused,” Marshall said.

The spatula he showed us belonged to the late father of Marshall’s friend, who he watched the game with as a child. He continues to remember him every game, as the spatula hangs near the screen.

“I’m honored that it was passed down to me, at least, and I’ll proudly show it because it’s meaningful,” Marshall said.

From helmets to tickets to everything Buffalo has to offer, he says each piece is a puzzle that brings the whole picture together.

To submit your Bills Basement for publication, email us photos and something about your basement to our newsroom at wakeup@wivb.com.