In 1999, Visa in conjunction with the Pro Football Hall Of Fame sponsored a new promotion called the Visa Hall of Fans award. The charge card company, working through a select committee, would pick one fan from every NFL team to represent their team in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. A special display in the Hall was created and each selected fan was inducted into “Hall of Fans.”

Of that first class, 22 fans came back in August for the first reunion. Once again, the fans enjoyed themselves and each other so much they decided to form a group honoring that “bound” between fans. The group came up with a mission statement: “TO PROMOTE THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALL FANS, ENCOURAGE SPORTSMANSHIP AND SUPPORT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES” and named themselves: PFUFA.

Since it’s birth, PFUFA has become bigger, better, and more well-known than ever before. Some of our most noteable fans are: Barrel Man, Denver Broncos; the Hogettes, Washington Redskins; and of course, all of our other GREAT FANS!! Unfortunately, in 2005, Visa ended its sponsorship of the “Hall of Fans” and the selection process was stopped. At this time, no future selections are scheduled. The Hall of Fame, however, has decided to remove the “Hall of Fans” and the room has become the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Room. In 2007, PFUFA embarked on a new era!! Up to this time, PFUFA members could only come from selected fans of the “Hall of Fans.” As a result, PFUFA’s membership leveled off and actually began to recede. However, at the 2007 Annual Business Meeting, this rule was changed. PFUFA is now searching the stadiums of the NFL to find more great fans!!

The Bengal Bomb Squad — and BBS West — are proud to have multiple members of our crew be part of the PFUFA. We work with the PFUFA to spread its mission statement, promoting charity – fellowship – & sportsmanship through all of our activities, efforts, and events. We welcome the PFUFA members from other NFL cities  … as well as fans from all teams … to our tailgates and events, rolling out the red carpet and making sure they experience the best our city, our tailgate, and our stadium have to offer.

In addition, we look forward to working with the rest of the PFUFA during the Hall of Fame Weekend in Canton to conduct the Kids’ Tailgate Party at the J Babe Stearn Community Center in Canton, Ohio. During this party, we assist in delivering school supplies, souvenirs, & toys to over 350 kids from the area. Seeing their faces light up and say “Who Dey!” for the first time are some of the best experiences the Bengal Bomb Squad are privileged to be part of.