Buffalo Bills super fan Ezra Castro passed away Tuesday morning after battling cancer. Castro, also known as ‘Pancho Billa’, was known for wearing extravagant game-day outfits, often including a sombrero, a face mask, and sporting the Bills colors, red, white and blue.
His character name was developed as a play off of Francisco “Pancho” Villa, a famous Mexican revolutionary. His character was an homage to his Mexican-American heritage, and his love for the Buffalo Bills.
As a super fan, Castro would save up his money all year to attend Bills practices, games, and the NFL draft. He was invited to come on stage during the 2018 NFL Draft in Arlington to announce the Buffalo’s third-round pick, defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.
Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the 2019 draft as he was in hospice. Despite his hospitalization, he was able to be on a three-way call with Bills manager Brandon Beane to assist in informing an intermediary that the Bills were selecting defensive tackle Ed Oliver with the no. 9 pick overall. The intermediary turned the pick to the league.
Castro has also met dozens of players, spoken in meetings, and has received memorabilia from Bills’ players.
The Buffalo Bills twitter account released a beautiful video tribute this morning for Castro upon hearing the news of his passing:
A Bills fan through-and-through, and an inspiration to us all.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Pancho Billa, we’ll miss you. #VivaLosBills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/yUDafu7m4O— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 14, 2019
According to espn.com, Castro was diagnosed with spinal cancer in early 2017. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.
