Amid the grief, anguish and anger following last Saturday’s mass shooting in Buffalo, NY. Buffalo Bills fans continue to live up to their reputation. Translating passionate fandom into positive action beyond the gridiron.

Last Saturday’s massacre occurred two days after this year’s NFL regular season schedule was announced. Two of the most intriguing games on the schedule feature the Buffalo Bills. An already formidable team striving to give their heartbroken city a boost. Buffalo will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s Kickoff Game on September 8th. Opening the season with a potential preview of next February’s Super Bowl. In the second game, the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Bills on January 2nd. Going through May, some expect this could be a playoff game preview.

The Bengals and Bills have an interesting history on and off the field. Cincinnati beat Buffalo in the 1989 AFC Championship Game. Another Bengals victory prompted a fascinating sports-related of philanthropic effort. In the closing week of the 2017 regular season. The Bills needed the out of contention Bengals to beat the Baltimore Ravens. To help the Bills clinch their first playoff berth in 17 years.

Bills fans prayers were answered through a 49-yard touchdown pass. Thrown by then Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd. On fourth and 12 with less than a minute left in the game. Effectively clinching a four-point road win for the Bengals. Bills fans showed their appreciation to the Bengals and Dalton in particular. Through donating over $400,000 to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation. In one fundraising effort, a Bills fan got a tattoo of Dalton.

This is just one of a few examples of Bills fans flexing their philanthropic muscles. Living up to Buffalo’s nickname “the city of good neighbors.” Starting in November 2020, Bills fans donated over $1 million to Buffalo’s Oishei Childrens Hospital. In memory of Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s Grandmother Patricia Allen. Some made $17 donations as a nod to Josh’s jersey number.

Patricia passed away the day before the Bills played the Seattle Seahawks. Josh Allen matched a career-high 415 passing yards as Buffalo beat Seattle. Along with the donations, Oishei Childrens Hospital named its pediatric recovery wing in Patricia’s honor. After Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a concussion playing the Bills during the 2021 playoffs. Bills fans donated thousands to Blessings in a Backpack; a charity Jackson volunteers with striving to combat childhood hunger.

Now the Bills and their fans dubbed the “Bills Mafia” are stepping up in the aftermath of last Saturday’s massacre. Along with their fellow Buffalo based sports teams. Doing what fortunately comes instinctively to many amid tragedies. Donating time, money and other resources to relief efforts. Including groceries, a vital resource in this case due to the area targeted. The accused murderer, reportedly motivated by racism, targeted shoppers and staff in a grocery store. The store serves a part of Buffalo that was previously a food desert.

From the outside looking in, this seems to be the most daunting task Bills Mafia’s faced yet. Their recent viral charitable efforts have come amid good times for the Bills. This time though, they’re consoling their community through the aftermath of a tragedy. After being targeted by an act of barbaric hatred. Despite the horrific circumstances, Bills Mafia is doing what they do best. Showcasing love for their team and more importantly love for their neighbors.