BY DAN BEGNOCHE
Buffalo Bills linebacker Keith Rivers just got into town, but he already has his priorities set: find a home, then check out the art scene.
The 27-year-old newcomer was brought in to add some starting experience to a new 4-3 defensive scheme, aiming to work alongside sophomore Kiko Alonso and fellow transplant Brandon Spikes.
Rivers finished last season with 45 combined tackles and sack, taking 429 snaps and excelling against the run, according to ProFootballFocus.
Aside from playing time, Rivers also brought some knowledge of contemporary art with him, an interest he's hoping continues to thrive in Buffalo.
"A girl got me into it actually, it always happens like that," Rivers joked with Alexandra Vitale of buffalobills.com. "A friend of mine is an art dealer, so ever since I've been into art. I've heard there's a great museum here in Buffalo, so I'm excited to check it out. Once I find a place to live."
Rivers got into the arts in Southern California while in college. Since being drafted, however, that passion has turned into collecting.
Talking with The Huffington Post prior to the start of his 2013 campaign with the New York Giants, Rivers called his hobby a "crazy collecting disease" since he's become a pro, though he's not pushing to sway all of his new Bills teammates into breaking the bank on a Warhol.
"Some guys -- you might show them a piece of art -- and they're like, 'I don't see it.' And that's perfectly fine," Rivers said back in September. "I don't think a lot of people, when they first start getting into art, they don't really understand why a Picasso is priceless. You start to look into art history and you start to understand."
The former Trojan did leave the possibility open for a some quick art lessons though, once he gets a chance to get acclimated.
"I've been here for a few days and I haven't gotten a chance to meet people. It's a great deal, look at the auction results; it'll definitely curve your opinion of art."
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