Bills fans once donated over $240,000 to Lamar Jackson’s charity after Ravens QB suffered concussion in playoff game
The Bills Mafia is one of the most loyal fan bases in the NFL. There have been many occasions, however, where the fanbase has shown gratitude and just how classy they are to opposing teams.
In January 2021, Buffalo hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional round. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a concussion during the game and didn't return. Buffalo went on to win the game 17-3 and took their first trip to the AFC Championship game since 1993. But, instead of crashing through tables and celebrating their team's success, fans made a thoughtful gesture.
After the game, Bills fans went on social media and began a campaign to donate to a charity that Jackson has supported many times, "Blessings in a Backpack".
Absolute class from the @BuffaloBills fans 👏
After Lamar Jackson left the game vs Buffalo in the divisional playoff game on Saturday, the Bills fans decided to donate to @Lj_era8's favorite charities. ❤️ https://t.co/6MuSaon8uY
The foundation ensures that children have food on the weekends when they aren't at school. Lamar Jackson worked with the Louisville chapter of the foundation while he played at the University of Louisville.
In just a matter of days, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that the foundation received over 9,000 donations, totaling over $240,000.
Other times that Bills Mafia have shown their generosity
The Buffalo Bills are still looking to take that next step and make a run for the Lombardi Trophy. But, as their fans anxiously await that day, they use every opportunity that they can to help others, regardless of which team they play for.
Just months before donating in honor of Lamar Jackson, fans in Buffalo supported their very own quarterback, Josh Allen. As the Bills quarterback mourned the loss of his grandmother, fans donated to the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. Allen spends a lot of time visiting children and working with families there. In his grandmother's honor, fans donated over $1 million to the hospital.
In 2017, Buffalo ended their playoff drought thanks in part to the Cincinnati Bengals, who defeated the Baltimore Ravens. As a 'thank you', fans donated $442,000 to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation.
Buffalo Bills fans raise Money for Bengals' Andy Dalton's Charity via /r/UpliftingNews ift.tt/2lRJTpX https://t.co/fLlzXx1J2T
This past season, all of those moments came full circle as Buffalo's Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati. Fans from around the league quickly found a GoFundMe page that Hamlin started in 2020 for a toy drive in his Pittsburgh community. Fans raised millions for Hamlin's foundation in the days following.