Buffalo Joe: Bills' Hometown Hero

Joe Andreessen, a Western New York native, is a rookie linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. He went undrafted but worked his way onto the roster after a tryout during rookie minicamp.

Buffalo Joe: Bills' Hometown Hero

Joe Andreessen is a Western New York native and a rookie linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. He went undrafted but worked his way onto the roster after a tryout during rookie minicamp.

Andreessen grew up a Bills fan and worked his way onto the roster after a tryout during rookie minicamp in May. In the game vs. the Jets, Andreessen wore a jersey with his own name and number, 44, on the back. No longer, as he had as a fan in the stands, donning a Kiko Alonso or Marshawn Lynch or even current teammate Matt Milano jersey -- of which he has multiple. The bleachers were filled with the people he grew up alongside. Now they were watching -- and cheering for -- him.

Andreessen is the feel-good story of the season for the Bills: a local kid who worked his way from Bryant University to University at Buffalo, before going undrafted only to earn his way onto the professional football team he grew up watching. He is living the dream of so many as the Bills prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday (6:30 p.m. EST, CBS) in the divisional round. Andreessen, a consistent special teams player for the Bills, has the opportunity to help his hometown team reach its long-awaited goal of winning the Super Bowl.

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