Did Peyton Manning Just Guarantee a Bills Super Bowl? Inside the Bizarre Ceremony to End a 122-Year Curse

Could the Buffalo Bills' long-awaited Super Bowl victory finally be within reach? While fans point to a high-powered offense led by Josh Allen and a rock-solid defense, the team's most crucial off-season move might have involved a legendary quarterback, a barrel, and a dose of the supernatural. In a stunning new episode of his popular show, Hall of Famer Peyton Manning teamed up with the Bills' superstar QB to tackle the one opponent they can't beat on the field: a rumored 122-year-old curse that has haunted the city for generations.

For over a century, a dark cloud has seemingly hovered over Buffalo sports. From four consecutive Super Bowl losses to the infamous "No Goal" in hockey, the city's franchises have endured what Manning himself calls a "suspicious amount of bad luck." The source of this persistent misfortune? According to local lore, it all began in 1901 with the assassination of U.S. President William McKinley during his visit to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. Ever since that tragic event, a so-called "McKinley Curse" has been blamed for decades of inexplicable and agonizing athletic heartbreak.

In the highly anticipated season five premiere of "Peyton's Places," aptly titled "The Bills Mafia," the two-time Super Bowl champion dives headfirst into this fascinating legend. Manning sits down with Bills icon and special teams legend Steve Tasker, along with some of the most famous members of the Bills Mafia—including tailgating icons like Pinto Ron, The Chefs, and Bills Elvis—to hear firsthand accounts of the city's most painful sporting moments. The episode meticulously lays out the evidence, painting a grim but compelling picture of a city seemingly doomed by a historical hex.

But Peyton Manning wasn't just there to document the misery; he was there to end it. Convinced that drastic measures were needed, Manning orchestrated a wild, one-of-a-kind exorcism ceremony at one of the world's most famous landmarks. He enlisted the help of current franchise savior, Josh Allen, and the ever-faithful Bills Mafia for a ritual that could change football history. The culmination of their efforts saw them symbolically gathering all the years of pain, frustration, and near-misses and, in a dramatic flourish, sending the city's collective heartbreak tumbling over the mighty Niagara Falls.

Has the curse finally been broken? Only time will tell if this bizarre, star-studded ceremony was enough to wash away 122 years of bad juju. But for the Bills Mafia, it's a powerful symbol of hope and a sign that this year could truly be different. With a presidential curse potentially conquered and a superstar quarterback leading the charge, Buffalo is daring to dream bigger than ever before. For fans eager to witness the legendary attempt to rewrite history, the full episode is now streaming on ESPN+.