Kansas City Chiefs fans, in nod to Bills Mafia, donate $178,000 to Buffalo children’s hospital

0
77


BUFFALO, N.Y. — Just days ago, the Kansas City Chiefs handed the Buffalo Bills one of the most heartbreaking losses in franchise history.

Chiefs fans, inspired by the tradition of Bills Mafia, have decided to turn their team’s big overtime win into a positive for the Buffalo community, raising $178,000 for Oisehi Children’s Hospital in Buffalo as of Wednesday morning, per the hospital.

Beginning Tuesday, donations in increments of $13 began being sent to the hospital from Chiefs fans in honor of the 13 seconds it took for the Kansas City offense to drive down the field to tie the divisional round playoff game at the end of regulation. The Chiefs went on to win on the first drive of overtime 42-36.

The original idea from a Chiefs Kingdom Facebook group was to donate in $13 increments to quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ foundation, 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. That changed when Chiefs fans heard more about Bills fan’s tradition of giving back to other teams. They instead directed their efforts to their opponent’s charity of choice.

The Oisehi Children’s Hospital has become closely connected with Bills quarterback Josh Allen after fans donated in $17 increments, totaling $1.1 million, in honor of Allen’s grandmother, Patricia Allen, who died last year. There is now a Patricia Allen Pediatric Recovery Wing in the hospital and The Patricia Allen Fund to benefit the critical care team and provide support for equipment, training, education and programs.

One of the most noteworthy example of Bills fans’ tradition came in 2017 when Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver Tyler Boyd connected for a game-winning touchdown over the Baltimore Ravens that led to the Bills clinching a playoff berth for the first time in 17 years.

In $17 increments, fans raised $442,000 for the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation. This year, Bills fans have led donation efforts in honor of cornerback Tre’Davious White tearing his ACL, giving back to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana in his hometown, among others.

Last year, they donated to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s foundation after a playoff win over the Ravens.

While 13 seconds likely will never again have a positive association in Buffalo, fanbases turning a tough ending into a positive for a different community is an uplifting tradition.





Source : ESPN