Van Miller “the voice of the Buffalo Bills”

A Voice That Echoes in Buffalo: Remembering Van Miller

While walking through Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Kenmore, just outside of Buffalo, New York, I came upon a name that stopped me in my tracks — the crypt of Van Miller, the legendary voice of the Buffalo Bills.

Born in Dunkirk, New York, just 45 miles west of Buffalo, Van got his start in broadcasting the old-fashioned way — calling high school football games on local radio. From those humble beginnings, he built a career that would cement him as one of the most beloved sports voices in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

In 1960, during the Buffalo Bills’ inaugural season at War Memorial Stadium, the team tapped Van Miller to handle play-by-play duties. It was the beginning of an extraordinary 43-year run behind the mic. With his unmistakable enthusiasm and deep understanding of the game, Van became the soundtrack to generations of Bills fans, guiding them through highs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments.

He also served as the voice of the NBA’s Buffalo Braves from 1971 to 1977 — until the team moved and became the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Clippers. Yet it’s his football legacy that truly endures.

Van with WBEN announcing Buffalo Braves games.

A Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Van Miller gave us unforgettable calls and phrases that still resonate across Bills Nation: “Fandemonium” in moments of euphoria, the disbelieving “Do you believe it?”, and the ever-reliable “Fasten your seatbelts” when things got tense.

Van Miller died in Tonawanda, New York on July 17, 2015. He was 87.

1927-2015

Van with Buffalo QB and Senator, Jack Kemp.