NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed and Buffalo-born actor Chad Michael Murray have signed on to executive produce the forthcoming docuseries, “Just One Before I Die,” about the Buffalo Bills fanbase.
“Just One Before I Die” tells the definitive story of the Bills Mafia and will chronicle the fans’ unwavering spirit as the Buffalo Bills contend for elusive championship. (The Bills have yet to win a Super Bowl, despite multiple appearances.) The docuseries is co-directed and produced by Buffalo natives Addison Henderson (“Givers of Death,” “The Forgotten City”) and Kevin Polowy (“Standing Up Falling Down,” “In the Shadow of Beirut”) and co-created by Clayton Polowy.
As so many of us Buffalonians have experienced, I too was born into the Bills Mafia. It feels like a birth right for us,” says Murray, who was born and raised in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, NY. “The passion and dedication that comes with being a Bills fan is second to none.”
About boarding the project, Murray adds: “To be part of a docuseries about the fans themselves, who are often the unsung heroes, has been a dream of mine for years and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition. And to be partnering with my friend and legend that is Andre Reed, and this entire creative team, feels like a Bills fan fantasy come to life. I can’t wait to help celebrate the people who are such a massive part of the enduring legacy of the Buffalo Bills.”
Reed, who played wide receiver for the Bills during their historic run of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1991-1994, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, added: “As someone who lived in western New York and played in front of that crowd for many years, I can tell you that the Bills have the most special and the most passionate fanbase in the NFL. It is simply unrivaled.”
About boarding the project, Murray adds: “To be part of a docuseries about the fans themselves, who are often the unsung heroes, has been a dream of mine for years and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition. And to be partnering with my friend and legend that is Andre Reed, and this entire creative team, feels like a Bills fan fantasy come to life. I can’t wait to help celebrate the people who are such a massive part of the enduring legacy of the Buffalo Bills.”
Reed, who played wide receiver for the Bills during their historic run of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1991-1994, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, added: “As someone who lived in western New York and played in front of that crowd for many years, I can tell you that the Bills have the most special and the most passionate fanbase in the NFL. It is simply unrivaled.”
The docuseries began production in August as the Bills kicked off the 2024 season, with filming taking place on location in Buffalo; Rochester, N.Y.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Miami; Baltimore; Houston; New York City, as well as sites in New Jersey and Connecticut, thus far.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome two of the most prominent members of the Buffalo Bills family and Bills Mafia,” said Kevin Polowy, an entertainment journalist-turned-filmmaker, comparing Reed and Murray joining the project to “the Bills signing two of the best free agents on the market.”
Added Henderson, who also worked alongside the late Chadwick Boseman on a number of projects including Marvel’s “Black Panther” and “Avengers” films: “Their passion and expertise adds another special element to this docuseries, allowing us to tell the story of the Bills Mafia in a way that truly captures the heart of this iconic fanbase. Together, we’re bringing something extraordinary to life.”
Renowned cinematographer Stephen Gerard Kelly (“In the Shadow of Beirut,” Ireland’s official selection for best international film at the 2024 Academy Awards) is director of photography. The project is also produced by Mac Cappuccino. “Just One Before I Die” is independently produced and financed by AKC Film Productions.
Murray is represented by Innovative Artists, Linden Entertainment and Bespoke Publicity.