ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Stray cats are benefitting from Tyler Bass’ field-goal try going astray.
Down because the Buffalo Bills kicker felt after lacking a possible game-tying 44-yard try extensive proper within the closing minutes of a 27-24 divisional playoff spherical loss to Kansas City on Sunday, Bass might be uplifted in realizing how hundreds have rallied to help his charitable connection.
As of Wednesday afternoon, greater than $260,000 in donations from across the nation have since poured in to suburban Buffalo’s Ten Lives Club cat rescue shelter.
“We are just mind blown by this generosity,” shelter spokeswoman Kimberly LaRussa mentioned.
“Of course, we wish it was under better circumstances,” she added. “We haven’t spoken to him. But I’m pretty certain that he’s seen what’s going on, and I hope it brings him a smile.”
The surge in donations started late Sunday and proven little indicators of slowing with companies and celebrities, resembling TV cook dinner and pet meals maker Rachael Ray, making pledges.
Bass hasn’t spoken since addressing reporters following the sport.
“I feel terrible, you know? I love this team and it hurts. This one hurts bad,” he mentioned. “It’s a feeling that I can’t even describe. It’s a tough feeling, but you know, just got to keep your head high.”
Bass suspended his social media accounts, although it’s unclear why and when he did so. And a message left together with his agent in search of touch upon the donations was not returned.
Bass was consoled by quite a few teammates following the sport, with common supervisor Brandon Beane saying he gave the kicker a hug.
“I hate that’s the kick he’s got to live with until next September,” Beane mentioned on Tuesday. “I would hope that fans or whoever, if someone’s giving him a hard time, would take in his career and how hard he works and how much his teammates and this organization believes in him. … There’s no wavering of support in this building.”
From South Carolina, Bass has spent his total four-year NFL profession with the Bills.
He was first launched to Ten Lives two years in the past by a nonprofit organization referred to as Show Your Soft Side, which recruits athletes and celebrities to advocate towards animal cruelty. Ten Lives is a nonprofit no-kill cat shelter and was established about 24 years in the past.
LaRussa mentioned Bass, who has two cats, instantly warmed to the marketing campaign, which included him posing with strays in photographs.
“They were crawling all over him. It was hysterical,” she mentioned.
The money raised will go towards offering every thing from meals to medical providers for the cats. Plus, LaRussa mentioned, the shelter plans to honor Bass in some kind.
Bills followers are renown for his or her charitable donations by the years.
Hundreds of hundreds of {dollars} have been despatched to then-Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s charitable basis after he led Cincinnati in rallying to beat Baltimore within the 2017 regular-season finale, with the Ravens loss clinching Buffalo its first playoff berth in 18 seasons.
In 2020, greater than $1 million in donations have been made to Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital in honor of quarterback Josh Allen after his grandmother Patricia died.
Now its the cats’ flip to profit.
“I hope this makes him feel better,” LaRussa mentioned. “We just want him to know that Ten Lives Club here is his No. 1 fan, and so are the cats.”
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