What has surprised 'Buffalo Joe' Andreessen about joining the Bills?

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Lancaster High School alum and Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen Tuesday during the “Huddle for Hunger” food collection drive to benefit FeedMore WNY.

We had just three-and-a-half minutes together before the rising star was needed elsewhere, but two things leaped out at me. Look for that at the end of this verbatim Q&A with ‘Buffalo Joe.’

Jacquie: Let me just ask you, how are things going so far for you?

Joe: That’s a broad question. I need a little more specific.

Jacquie: Okay, how are things going so far for you as a member of the Buffalo Bills?

Joe: I think “crazy” is the best word to use. It’s definitely been a whirlwind these past couple weeks. But, you know, we’re in the facility every day. It’s just playing football, trying to lock in —kind of what I’ve done the past, I don’t know, six to 10 years of my life. Playing football, watching film, studying and practicing.

Jacquie: But is it different than you expected?

Joe: Parts of it, yeah. I think the outside stuff is a lot different than I expected. You know, I always had a dream of making it to the NFL, but the outside stuff — like the way people react and everything — that’s not something you really think about when you dream of the NFL. You think about going out there and playing on Sundays. But the extra stuff, I’m grateful for it. It’s definitely cool.

Jacquie: When you say “outside stuff,” do you mean people’s reaction to you as a Buffalo Bill?

Joe: Yeah, like now when I go out, people recognize me. I have to take photos and sign stuff, which is awesome. But it’s something I didn’t expect, especially being undrafted and everything. You know, just the way my situation unfolded — it’s cool. And I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else but Buffalo, so that makes it special.

Jacquie: What would you like the people of Buffalo, who’ve watched your progress, to know about you right now, Joe?

Joe: Plainly, I don’t think I do anything different than anyone else in the NFL. I work hard. I’ve had to go through a lot of ups and downs to get here, like a lot of people do. God’s given me a lot of talent, so I’m blessed and thankful for that. And, you know, a lot of people have supported me — my parents have done a lot for me. It’s just a lot of things falling into place the right way.

Jacquie: (One more) question. What’s your goal?

Joe: Goal in a year, goal in five years, goal in ten years?

Jacquie: This season.

Joe: My goal this season? I want to win the Super Bowl. Whatever I have to do to help the team make that happen, that’s my goal. Honestly, I know how much a Super Bowl would mean to this city — Western New York in general, not just Buffalo. It would be very special. And to do it in my rookie season, to be a part of that — there’s nothing cooler than that.

Here are the two things that stayed with me after talking to this Bills rookie:

1) He’s well-spoken, engaging, and mature for a 24-year-old man in his circumstances. He focused on my questions, even though there was general noise and chaos swirling around us in the stadium parking lot — to the point where he asked me to be more specific with my questions. I really can’t remember anyone doing that before!

2) He’s had so much attention from fans and reporters (me included) that it’s a concern we will all demand too much of him off the field. Clearly it’s on his mind when he says he didn’t expect the “outside stuff.” I had a very similar conversation with Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly when he was first signed by the Bills.

I remarked on the air at that time that Kelly was struggling with how to handle all the attention and the increased demands — and that was before the rise of social media, podcasts, and legalized sports gambling.

Hopefully Joe Andreessen will be guided by a caring, experienced mentor connected to the team who will help him through this gritty, off-gridiron landscape.