Joe Andreessen attends Lancaster Legends game ahead of Bills season

LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Joe Andreessen used to spend his Friday nights playing under the lights right at Lancaster High School. Now, he's heading to the big leagues to play for the team he grew up watching his entire life, but he'll never forget where he came from. 

Andreessen made an appearance at Friday night’s game as the Lancaster Legends took the field for their first game of the season at Lancaster High School. 

“Yeah I used to love coming out here Friday. That would mean everything to me when I was in high school,” Andreessen said. “So it's just a cool feeling.”

The Western New Yorker was an All-State linebacker at Lancaster High School. He finished his college career at the University at Buffalo. Just weeks ago he learned he continued his hometown story by making the Bills 53-man roster.

He supported the team all night long while he stood on the sidelines, calling it a very nostalgic moment.

“Hard to put into words. Just the best feeling, playing high school football,” Andreessen said. “There's nothing like it, especially at Lancaster.”

“When he was in high school, it'd probably be hard to imagine where I am now,” Andreessen said. “So, I'm happy and excited to see how far I came.”

Members of the Bills Mafia are just as excited to see him carry out his dream while representing the small Town of Lancaster. 

“I feel like it gives like a good idol for the younger generation to come in and play football with us,” said Kaylin, a senior at Lancaster High School.

“Every teacher I've had this week has said like, ‘Oh Joe sat right here, Joe sat right there,’ and everybody says he was the most humble kid to go to school with,” said Samantha, a senior at Lancaster High School.

“I mean we've had players who have come through and have gone to NFL teams, but a local boy watching his Buffalo Bills, and he gets to play for them, it doesn't get any better than that,” said Jeff Schuler, a Depew resident.

This week the game is on 4. The Buffalo Bills will take on the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. this Sunday.