Pancho Billa – One Of The Few Among Many

Every NFL team has that one super-fan that stands out among the crowd. It doesn’t matter what team you root for, everyone knows that one fan, even if they don’t know him by name.

Indianapolis has Michael Hopson, Oakland has Dr. Death, the Buccaneers have Big Nasty, and Buffalo had Ezra Castro aka Pancho Billa. Pancho Billa was instantly recognizable in any setting with his large sombrero and Lucha Libre mask along with his enormous smile. No matter how badly the team was doing, or what their record was, Pancho Billa was always smiling and giving everything he had for his beloved Bills.

Unfortunately for not only the Buffalo Bills but the entire National Football League, the day finally came when Ezra Castro truly gave everything he had left. Ezra was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2018 and had entered hospice care at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in April, and despite having what was considered to a successful new form of trial treatment, it failed. Ezra passed away on May 14th.

Pancho Billa was a beacon of strength and determination for the entire Buffalo Bills family, and the Bills family were a shining light through his struggles and battles as he fought valiantly against the toughest opponent he could imagine. While his battle was unsuccessful, his fight and determination will undoubtedly be carried onto the field by every Bills player for their season opener (coincidentally it was also Ezra’s favorite game no matter the opponent) as they look to honor their biggest super-fan Pancho Billa with his longtime partner and his two children in attendance.

When any team loses a super-fan, it is felt far beyond just the stadium crowd, but through their entire community, and through ever fan base around the league, as we all have that super-fan that we can always count on to give that little extra when the scoreboard isn’t showing in our favor.

I along with everyone at Bucs Life News Media and on behalf of every super-fan around the league wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Ezra Castro’s family and friends, the Buffalo Bills organization, and the entire Bills community. Rivalries run deep, but our love for football runs even deeper, and this loss is felt by the entire NFL fan base and he Pancho Billa will be missed by all who love the game.