The Cincinnati Bengals – notably quarterback Andy Dalton – got a lot of love from Buffalo Bills fans when Cincinnati enabled Buffalo to make the NFL playoffs.
Bills fans donated more than $300,000 to Dalton's foundation as a gesture of gratitude for the Bills ending their 17-year playoff drought, which was only made possible when Dalton threw a touchdown pass in the final seconds to beat the Baltimore Ravens on the final Sunday of the regular season.
This week, Bengals fans have paid it forward.
When Jacksonville Jaguars dispatched the Bengals' arch-rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game, Cincinnati sports radio host Mo Egger encouraged fans to donate to the Blake Bortles Foundation to assist the Jaguars quarterback's charities.
People are also reading…
Blake Bortles has a charity.
I think we need to pay it forward.https://t.co/vqffBfWYSG
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) January 14, 2018
On Tuesday, Egger tweeted that donations from Bengals fans approached $5,000.
Nearly $5000 in donations from Bengals fans. https://t.co/0w2zkLh2tt
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) January 16, 2018
"Fans are at the core of the football experience and it’s truly exciting and rewarding when they band together, regardless of the team they cheer for, to make a positive impact in the lives of others," Bortles said, according to First Coast News. "I greatly appreciate the support displayed by Bengals fans and they should know their support will make a difference."
Thank you so much for your support, Mo! The response has been overwhelming, thanks to your act of kindness. We are so excited to put these donations to use as we continue to support our local #IDD and #firstresponders communities. Thank you!
— BB5Foundation (@BB5Foundation) January 15, 2018
Needless to say, the Dalton foundation is glad to see the trend continuing.
“We’re not surprised Bengals fans are paying it forward," said Amy Floyd, executive director of the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation. "They have been generous to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation since its beginning seven years ago. Buffalo fans should be proud to have started what we can only hope is a new trend of NFL fans helping kids and adults in need. This is wonderful.” – Amy Floyd, Executive Director of The Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation
