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Former Bills Owner Mary Wilson Reveals Cancer Diagnosis — “Every Buffalo Victory Keeps My Spirit Alive”

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Buffalo, NY – 2025

Mary Wilson, the widow of legendary Bills founder Ralph Wilson Jr. and former controlling owner of the franchise in 2014, has announced she has been diagnosed with cancer. At 84, she vowed to fight with resilience.

“I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and am under the care of a remarkable medical team,” Wilson said in a statement. “Every Buffalo victory keeps my spirit alive, and I’m holding on to that strength.”

Mary Wilson assumed the role of controlling owner through an estate trust after Ralph Wilson’s passing in March 2014. Though her time in ownership was brief, she guided the franchise through one of its most pivotal transitions.

She entrusted daily operations to CEO Russ Brandon and GM Doug Whaley before selling the team in October 2014 to Terry and Kim Pegula for $1.4 billion — then a record-setting NFL purchase price.

 

Her stewardship, while temporary, ensured stability during a period of uncertainty for Bills fans and kept the franchise rooted in Buffalo, where its connection to the community runs deeper than the game itself.

Since stepping away, Wilson has remained active in philanthropy and community service, often supporting causes close to Western New York. Her ties to the Bills organization have remained heartfelt and enduring.

 

Fans and former players have already taken to social media to send prayers and encouragement. For many, Mary Wilson’s courage symbolizes the same resilience Buffalo itself has carried through decades of triumphs and challenges.

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”