Bills fan told to cover up Donald Trump shirt during Bills game
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A local Buffalo Bills fan got quite the surprise when he was approached by security during Sunday's game and told he couldn't show a shirt he was wearing supporting Donald Trump.
WIVB News 4 heard from that fan, David Buffamonti, who was told to cover up his Trump shirt. He said he was flying a Trump flag near the front row when security approached him about it, along with his shirt. The Erie County GOP believes Buffamonti was "singled out" for his political beliefs.
Buffamonti is a Bills season ticket holder. In a viral video taken during the game, he's being told by security to cover up his shirt supporting Trump just days before Election Day.
"I wasn't embarrassed, but I did feel maybe, possibly, picked on," Buffamonti said.
Buffamonti said this all happened during the first quarter while he was at the game with friends.
Security approached them and said fans cannot show anything political. He was told to zip up his sweatshirt, which he did.
Video: James Raymond
"I didn't go there to break any rules or regulations, I didn't know there was even any rules or regulations against it and to this point, I still don't know if there is or isn't, but again, when security is asking you to do something, unless you're looking for trouble, you cooperate with them and that's what I did," Buffamonti said.
The Erie County GOP questions what happened and believes there may be some political bias.
"I want to be clear, this is in no way a criticism of the security guards at Highmark Stadium, they've got a tough job to do," said Michael Kracker, chairman of the Erie County GOP. "I just think we made their job tougher by enforcing some ridiculous policy, whether it is or is not in fact a stated policy of the Buffalo Bills, and I think it's pretty clear I do not believe that if he was wearing a Harris-Walz shirt he would've had that experience."
In terms of the Code of Conduct for fans, the Bills app says clothing or material that's political in nature is not allowed. On the Bills website, political clothing or materials was not mentioned Monday morning, but appeared to be added later in the day.
"I think it raises some serious questions of free speech," Kracker said.
Erie County Sheriff's deputies were not involved in the matter. News 4 reached out to the Bills and the NFL for comment, but did not hear back.
Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.