C.J. Spiller: 'I'll always be a Buffalo Bill at heart'

Saying goodbye to Buffalo hasn't been easy for C.J. Spiller.

The former Bills running back returned to Orchard Park this week to collect his things and reflect on his time spent with the organization.

"I thought it would be a smooth cleanout," Spiller told Tim Graham of the Buffalo News on Thursday. "But you start packing up and keep coming across something that brings all the memories flooding back to you.

"It starts sinking in that you're moving on."

Spiller struggled last season, rushing for 300 yards on 78 carries before breaking his collarbone against the Minnesota Vikings. When the Bills traded for LeSean McCoy, it became clear that Spiller would not be returning to the team.

"I'll always be a Buffalo Bill at heart," Spiller said. "This is where my journey began.

"I'll always have love for this city and look forward to watching them play and look for them to get back to where they belong. This is a special place, and I can tell they're building something special."

The New Orleans Saints were Spiller's free-agent visit. He ended up signing a four-year deal with the team - a decision that was met with some resistance from his nine-year-old daughter, Shania, who lives with her mother in Atlanta and is a Falcons fan. 

As difficult as it is to leave Buffalo, Spiller has no regrets.

"When I look back, I know I gave it everything I had when I went out there on Sunday," Spiller said. "I never held anything back. I played through some tough injuries. I rehabbed to get back because of the passion I have for the game.

"If we would've made the playoffs, it would have been a successful time. That's the one thing. I just wanted to experience what the ride would have been like, when that 'Shout!' song brought so much energy to this town in those Super Bowl years."