PRO FOOTBALL'S ULTIMATE FAN ASSOCIATION

RING OF HONOR MEMBER

AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY

How can you possibly fit the size of that heart into that little body??

Tommy Nola (Bellringer) was inducted into our organization in the Class of 2001, was honored by the "Visa Hall of Fans" as the Buffalo Bills Ultimate Fan of 2000, and was inducted posthumously into the Pro Football's Ultimate Fan Association "Ring of Honor" in 2024. 

Tommy was known throughout this organization for one word:  hospitality.  He embodied the complete and full definition of that word.  Always putting those around him in a greater position, looking out for their needs, and sacrificing his own resources, Tommy Nola is the shinning example of our mission statement.

Due to his sterling reputation, in 2006, then President Raider Ron created the Tommy Nola “Bellringer Friendship Award."  This award is given annually to the PFUFA member that throughout the previous year has personified Friendship and Hospitality towards our membership and also displayed our mission statement in their day-to-day lives.

Each year, nominations are taken from the membership, and then Tommy would sit down with the current leadership to chose a recipient of his award.  Since Tommy's passing earlier this year (2024), that choice now goes to his wife and she is assisted by Tom Pirko.

In 2022, the official PFUFA Award Patches were introduced to the organization to commemorate all current and past winners of our awards.  The goal of the patches is to display our culture, and each previous winner was given one patch for each of their past award.  (see the image to the right)

If you did not personally know Tommy, the most obvious characteristic he possessed was his short stature.  Tommy was only "three bricks" tall.  But you know that old saying of the size of the fight in the dog....  Tommy was as friendly as they came, until you obstructed his mission of giving to others.  Then, you saw just how much fight and tenacity he possessed.  One example of this happened during our annual charity event at the J. Babe center.  The bikes Tommy bought were lost in the shuffle, and he was bound and determined to make sure kids had bikes.  As such, we went and bought more at the local department store.  Everyone cleared a path for him, as he was uncharacteristic angry.  Members were shock to see his demeanor.  But the kids had bikes!!

Making a trip to watch your team play in Buffalo was pure joy.  Eight times a year (for all home games), Tommy would roll out the red carpet and absolutely "mother and smother" his guests.  You were NEVER without food, comfort, or love.  Actually, it was to the point you had to tell him to stop.  Of course, he would not listen to you and kept going.  Every member who has attended a game in Buffalo will testify to this.  Tommy is the upper-upper bar of being a host.

On January 19, 2024, Tommy Nola passed away due to failing health surrounded by family.  There was a quiet service and our organization was in attendance.  At the 2024 Annual PFUFA Reunion, Josie came and bought Tommy's bell.  It was carried during the parade and was rung loudly and proudly.