Work Text:
The Zero Chronicles Book One – Preview – Buffalo Bills Fan Fiction
by Team Zero-One © 2026
Preview (long lead teaser)
In 2000, Buffalo Bills training camp moves to St. John Fisher College near Rochester, NY. A battle for starting quarterback is the big story. Then an old farmer who’s also a high school football coach shows up as rookie place kicker. He’s got a weird name. He’s got weird hair. And… he’s got a weird backstory. Zero, as everyone calls him, is the NFL’s lowest-paid player… ever. Why would the Bills even sign him? Could the 2000 season start off any worse?
Zero is very-tall, lean, muscular, and good-looking. At 42, he’s the NFL’s oldest rookie… ever (modern era). But Zero hasn’t played for 28 years. Thing is, Zero can still kick a football… farther, more accurately, and more reliably than anyone… ever. On Day One of Training Camp he’s asked to also be interim quarterback (QB) coach.
Zero’s long, reliable kicking impresses coaches, players, and especially, the fans. Then during early scrimmages the head coach sends Zero in as QB, telling him, “show those 2 QB hopefuls how it’s really done.” Zero is just as good at passing, and evading the scrimmage defense. He makes 3 incredible passes.
Then Zero makes NFL history on his fourth pass when an apparently muffed throw flies out of reach of cornerbacks and safeties, then curves to hit the receiver… perfectly. Zero’s engineering professors said such a throw was impossible, yet years of practice proved them wrong. But at age 42, just one hard sack as QB, and Zero might be out for the season, leaving the team without a highly reliable and adept kicker.
The big story at 2000 Bills training camp soon becomes Zero, now the fan favorite. His incredible backstory slowly comes out. Veterans and Air Force cadets snap to attention to salute the high-ranking USAF fighter-pilot reservist when he visits the bleachers for “Zero Tat” autograph sessions.
Zero holds Olympic gold medals; is a multi-PhD engineer with hundreds of patents; holds speed records; and has celebrity friends visit training camp. He heads 4 family firms employing over 900. He’s an adoptive & foster father to over 150, and has even more grand kids. Alas, Zero dislikes attention… or notoriety… he’s always the “reluctant hero.”
Zero signed with the Bills to make his family happy, such as Penny, his childhood crush, and wife for 24 years. Ironically, instead of achieving fame, Zero would be happier just being a dad and grand dad, engaging in dad humor, or simply cleaning out cow pies in his dairy barn.
Could this be a positive omen for the 2000 Buffalo Bills season? Could Zero be the Bills ace in the hole as backup QB? Then the biggest question of all: what weird hair color will Zero sport next, and why?
Book One about Zero’s wonderful, and highly-fictional life starts soon. Much of his story is not about playing football, so be warned. Please enjoy the story… and please remember it’s merely fiction, so keep an open mind. Thanks for reading.
Team Zero-One
Copyrights
Zero’s Heroes, Zero Tat, Zero Tattoo, all © 2026