ESPN has used the time slot after the Heisman Trophy presentation for some past "30 for 30" documentaries that it wanted to provide with an extra-visible showcase.
This year is no exception, and the film in question certainly is worthy of the attention.
"Four Falls of Buffalo" focuses on the Bills of the early 1990s, who have evolved from a punch line for losing four Super Bowls in a row to a team appreciated for its achievement.
The documentary, which premiered Saturday night and was produced by NFL Films, features interviews with most of the key players of the era, notably quarterback Jim Kelly and kicker Scott Norwood, who tears up during a rare interview about his wide-right kick in Super Bowl XXV.
Another highlight of the show is former Bills stars Bruce Smith and Thurman Thomas sitting on a couch and watching it all go wrong on old recordings of the Super Bowl flops.
"You'd be hard pressed for people to remember Super Bowl losers from any particular year, but ask them about the 1990s Bills and people's eyes light up," director Ken Rodgers told SI.com. "If we had made this film 15 years ago, it would have been about the biggest tragedy in the history of the game.
"Instead, with the passage of time, I think it's now a tale of epic heroism in the face of failure. If there's a way for a sports documentary to be heroically tragic, this is it."
Newsday
