Cancer-stricken superfan gets the gift of a lifetime courtesy of 2 NFL greats
When Bills fans look back at the 2018 NFL draft, the focus will be on the team’s bold move to trade up (twice) to get their (hopefully) franchise quarterback in Wyoming’s Josh Allen with the seventh overall selection.
But the star of Buffalo’s draft weekend was someone named “Pancho Billa.”
As the Buffalo News reported, 38-year-old Ezra Castro is as big a Bills fan as you’ll ever see — even for someone born in El Paso, Texas.
In fact, Castro leads a group of Bills fans in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, numbering about 700.
His gameday preparation is more of a transformation, from a man named Ezra into “Pancho Billa.”
#VIVALOSBILLS!!!! LETS GO BUFFFALLLLOOOO #GoBills pic.twitter.com/uYKRBnfuk5
— Pancho Billa (@PanchoBilla1) November 19, 2017
Last season, he traveled to New York for a Thursday night Bills-Jets game. While he was sightseeing, he felt his left arm go numb.
When he returned home, a doctor’s diagnosis changed his life forever.
A mass wrapped around his spine, and cancer had spread to his liver, lungs and lymph nodes.
Being the true fan he is, he put off surgery to take his son (“Panchito”) to see the Bills play in Carson City, California.
Castro had his surgery in December, and he is battling cancer with everything he’s got.
1st session! Lets go Buffalo!! Viva Los Bills!! pic.twitter.com/TA3E76e3ZI
— Pancho Billa (@PanchoBilla1) January 23, 2018
It’s his incredible spirit that brought him to the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium for this year’s NFL draft for a moment nobody will forget.
Former Bills running back Fred Jackson and Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed came on stage for the team’s third-round pick.
“Ezra,” Jackson called out. “Pacho Billa, can you please join us on stage.”
What a moment. ❤️ #FootballIsFamily
📺: NFLN/FOX/ESPN pic.twitter.com/y7PiZlKz8X
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 28, 2018
The television cameras showed Castro sobbing in the crowd and then making his way to stand alongside the two former Bills.
“Why don’t you announce the pick?” Jackson said to him.
Castro did so, revealing Buffalo’s selection of Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.
“Viva los Bills!” he then said.
Over the coming days, we’ll see all types of “report cards” for teams’ draft week performances.
No matter what happens on the field, we’d give Buffalo an A-plus.
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