Buffalo Bills fans were willing to embrace Josh Allen upon his selection in the NFL Draft in 2018 because he was willing to embrace them.
The bond between the fans and Allen continues to get deeper and stronger.
With the news that Allen’s grandmother, Patricia, died Saturday at age 80, Bills fans began donating $17 in her memory to Buffalo's Oishei Children's Hospital, an organization that has benefited from Allen’s time and generosity. As of Tuesday evening, Oishei said more than $250,000 in donations have been made by thousands of donors. Oishei has changed its $17 donation button to Bills colors.
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Allen has had a long relationship with Oishei since his arrival. He is donating 17% of the proceeds from Josh’s Jaqs cereal to Oishei, and he has made frequent visits to meet with children in the past and has done several video calls since the pandemic has restricted hospital access. He also worked last season with children to design a New Era cap, with proceeds benefiting the hospital.
In a statement, Oishei said it is planning a "special thank you" to Bills Mafia in Patricia Allen's honor.
“I can’t tell you how special it is to see the outpouring of support for me and my family during this tough time," Allen in a statement released through the team. "The donations made to OCH in honor of my grandmother would make her so proud. Thank you Bills Mafia! It is an honor to be your quarterback.”
He also tweeted: "At a loss for words. Buffalo, I love you."
Calling #BillsMafia, as we all know @BuffaloBills QB @JoshAllenQB grandmother passed away last night. In honor of her @RedditBills is suggesting we donate $17 to Oishei Children's Hospital. Do what you do ladies and gents!https://t.co/qM5p3flY12
— Hansel (@UberHansen) November 8, 2020
Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, a St. Francis High School graduate, said the outpouring of support for Allen is typical of Buffalo.
"People take care of their own people. People have each other’s back. And certainly they got Josh’s back," Daboll said during a Monday video conference. “I know he’s from out there in California, but you can just pick him up and put him right here, put him in West Seneca, South Buffalo, the Northtowns, or wherever you want. He’ll fit right in. That’s just him. He’s just a genuine, genuine person. And I know he appreciates a great deal the support that he gets from this community, this fan base, Bills Mafia. I know he’s very thankful for that. They’re thankful for him.”
Bills coach Sean McDermott said the donations are reminiscent of how Bills fans donated to Andy Dalton's foundation after the then-Bengals quarterback beat the Ravens to get Buffalo into the 2017 playoffs and end the drought and how fans showed their support following the death of superfan Pancho Billa.
"Just awesome to hear that news and so proud of Bills Mafia out there for rallying around Josh and this cause," McDermott said. "That's what makes Buffalo the community that it is."
In a video posted on the Bills' Twitter feed of the postgame locker room speech Sunday, Allen is drawn into the middle of the circle at the end. He is patted on the back and head and appears to get choked up. He can be heard saying, "There's no place I'd rather be. I love you guys."
An extra special win. ❤️#SEAvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/HNefh4xHRi
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 8, 2020
Playing with a heavy heart, Allen had one of the best games of his career Sunday against the Seawhawks. He became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era with 400-plus yards passing, three-plus touchdown pases, no interceptions and a 130-plus passer rating (138.5) in multiple games in a season.
McDermott said he spoke with Allen on Saturday night to offer his condolences and gauge how he felt about playing. There was no hesitation.
As Allen's mother Lavonne tweeted, "Grammy wouldn't have had it any other way but to have Josh out on that field with his family/teammates. She lived for Sundays to watch her grandson and favorite team the Bills."
"For Josh to be able to do that and compartmentalize that for a few hours like he was able to do, I think just really shows you his maturity, his willingness to compete at a high level," McDermott said. "To compete No. 1, and to compete at a high level. He wanted to be around his teammates. Again, it's just it's the guy we know, really."
The guy they know, and the guy they love.
"I just felt for him," said Daboll, who has grown very close to Allen during their three years together. "I have a grandmother who's very special to me. When something like that happens, we all go through adversity, but to have it happen a day before a big game for him and for us, I can't imagine how tough that was. Just have so much respect for him as a person, as a player. I love him.
"He did a really good job of staying focused. And there wasn't really many people that knew about it. It's just kind of the guy he is. He's the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor. When he came in off the field and into the locker room, he kind of fell into my arms a little bit. A lot of emotion there, particularly for him, but for me also. When you love somebody and something happens like that, it's tough. And to see it happen to somebody that you really care about as a player, that's tough. But that's why his teammates love him, too. All-day competitive. All-day tough. They'd do anything for him."
So, too, would Bills Mafia.
At 7-2 for the first time since 1993 after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 44-34 Sunday at Bills Stadium, the Buffalo Bills put themselves back in the conversation of being one of the league's elite teams. See photos, analysis and more from the game.
