Tyler Bass' failure is Ten Lives Club's gain.
In the days since the Bills kicker missed a crucial field goal in a district-round loss to the Chiefs, fans donated more than $260,000 to a New York-based cat adoption organization.
Bass deactivated his social media accounts after the crushing loss. As trolls attacked him, the Ten Lives Club stepped in to protect him.
“Don't bully our friends” group Posted to Instagram account on monday. “I heard the terrible news that Tyler Bass was receiving threats after yesterday's game and that the phone continues to ring with people wanting to donate $22 to the Ten Lives Club in Tyler's name.”
Donations started rolling in late Sunday, with TV chef Rachael Ray and her pet food brand Nutrish sharing the $30,000 donation.
“We are just blown away by this generosity,” said shelter spokeswoman Kimberly LaRussa. told the Associated Press. “Obviously, I think it would have been better under better circumstances. We haven't talked to him. But I'm pretty sure he saw what was going on and that… I hope it brings a smile to his face.”
Bass connected with the cat organization two years ago through Show Your Soft Side, a non-profit organization that works with athletes and aims to prevent animal abuse, but since his post-game appearance , has not publicly addressed the kick miss.
“I feel terrible, you know? It hurts so much because I love this team. This hurts so much,” he said after the game. “It's a feeling I can't even explain in words. It's a tough feeling, but I have to keep my head together.”
This is the latest example of the Bills Mafia showing their appreciation, which in the past hasn't been limited to Buffalo players.
In 2018, they thanked then-Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who helped end a 17-year playoff drought with a game-winning touchdown pass, with a gift to the foundation. .
Two years later, more than $1 million was donated to Oisei Children's Hospital in Buffalo in quarterback Josh Allen's honor after his grandmother, Patricia, passed away.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson thanks Bills fans after his injury charity “Blessings in a Backpack” raised more than $400,000 during the 2020 AFC Divisional Round loss to Buffalo. .
Despite the good deeds, Bills fans may face stiff competition to be Bass' biggest supporters.
“I hope this makes him feel better,” La Russa said. “We want him to know that here at Ten Lives Club he's his biggest fan and so are the cats.”
