Brandon and Hayley perceived transcendent elements in play. As Brandon noted, "different things that were God-like that mattered."

The Beanes have a dog named Bodie. The Pegulas had a dog named Bodie.

"I mean, how many dogs are named Bodie?" Beane asked.

Tyson and Wes Beane attended Orchard Park Elementary in Fort Mill, S.C. They would enroll in Orchard Park schools here.

The Toners were the Beanes' neighbors. Don Toner, the Panthers' assistant equipment manager, is a University at Buffalo grad. Toner's wife, Joelle, also is from Western New York and sold Hayley on what otherwise might've been an intimidating switch from the temperate Carolinas.

Part of the pitch: Wegmans.

Granted, all of those neat tidbits were trivial compared to Buffalo's big picture.

Beane claimed "only a perfect scenario" could lure him and his family from Carolina. Now he, Hayley, 14-year-old Tyson, 12-year-old Wes, their mutt of unknown origin Bodie and three-legged Chihuahua mix Peanut are here.

When Beane was 17 years old, he experienced an awakening he insisted has thrust him to this place.

The Bills' playoff drought is 17 years old.