Long-standing ticket taker at Highmark Stadium and U.S. Veteran surprised with Super Bowl LX tickets

Buffalo, NY (January 4, 2026) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Buffalo Bills and United Concordia Dental (UCD), joined by Bills Legend Thurman Thomas, today delivered an unforgettable surprise to Jack Hoffsetter, a United States Veteran and dedicated ticket taker at Highmark Stadium. Hoffsetter, a beloved fixture at the stadium for more than 50 years, was presented with two tickets to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco.

Hoffsetter's remarkable tenure at Highmark Stadium began in 1970, when he was present at the first game played there. As the Buffalo Bills conclude their farewell season at Highmark Stadium, Hoffsetter continues to hold down his station at Gate 3.

His journey with the team began even earlier; at just 16 years old, Hoffsetter obtained his working papers and applied to work for the Bills when they still played at The Rockpile, making this not the first stadium to which he’s bid farewell.

“Without a doubt, I’ll be there to greet guests at the new Highmark Stadium, when the Bills take home-field for the first time in 2026,” Hoffsetter said.

The surprise unfolded today at Highmark Stadium. Highmark officials, Thomas, and others converged, holding two enlarged Super Bowl tickets. A moment of shock quickly transformed into utter excitement as the tickets were presented to Hoffsetter, a heartfelt recognition of his decades of unwavering service surrounded by tenured colleagues and friends.

“As a community-based health plan, our roots run deep within the families we've had the privilege to serve for generations," said Jessica Cox, president, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. "Highmark's mission is inherently tied to the well-being and spirit of this community, and it's truly individuals like Jack Hoffsetter who embody that spirit and define what makes this region so special. We are incredibly proud to honor his dedication to both our community and our nation.”

Hoffsetter proudly served in the United States Army. The Buffalo Bills, along with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and its diversified business partner, United Concordia Dental, are strong supporters of our nation's armed forces. This commitment is showcased through corporate giving, employee volunteerism, and other targeted initiatives throughout the year.

United Concordia Dental has a long-standing history of serving the military’s oral health, providing dental benefits to more than 3 million uniformed active duty service, National Guard and Reserve members, veterans and their families for the past 30 years. Beyond taking care of their dental needs, the company is also committed to providing career growth opportunities for its veteran employees. In 2025, it was named as a Top Veteran-Friendly Employer by U.S. Veterans Magazine for the second year in a row.

“We are honored to join Highmark and the Buffalo Bills in recognizing Jack’s long-standing commitment to service,” said Ed Shellard, United Concordia Dental’s president.  “As a veteran and tenured stadium employee, he has truly demonstrated his love of home, the Bills, and our nation.”

Through its impactful partnership with the Buffalo Bills and the NFL Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield annually honors a local community member with two tickets to the Super Bowl. This tradition celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the community. In 2023, they recognized Buffalo Blizzard Hero, Jay Withey. In 2024, the honor went to James Damon, a Buffalo Public School Teacher and CPR hero. And in 2025, they celebrated Carissa Fischer, a selfless teacher who donated her liver to save young Ezra's life. This year, it is an honor to recognize Jack Hoffsetter for his half-century of dedication and service.

“Jack is more than just a ticket taker; he’s part of the Buffalo Bills family and the Highmark Stadium experience,” said Bills Legend, Thurman Thomas. “His dedication and commitment over five decades embody the spirit of loyalty and community that defines our fans and our organization. We are incredibly proud to join Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in sending Jack to Super Bowl LX as a small token of our gratitude for his service to our team and our community.”