Buffalo Bills mark home opener with O Canada anthem and cross‑border catch

Buffalo Bills will feature Canada’s national anthem, "O Canada," during their home‑opening game. The anthem will be performed by Canadian pop group Barenaked Ladies. The ceremony includes a cross‑border pass that will travel from the U.S. side of the Niagara River into Canada. Former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and former wide receiver Stevie Johnson are slated to complete the pass together. The event is meant to celebrate Bills fans who live on both sides of the border. Organisers describe the anthem and the pass as both a business opportunity and a cultural gesture. The New York Times highlighted the stunt as part of a broader push to engage Canadian supporters. Media outlets including the Niagara Gazette, Democrat and Chronicle, CBC and WGRZ reported on the plan. The Bills hope the spectacle will boost ticket sales and deepen cross‑border fan loyalty as the season begins.