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Josh Allen put together one of the best performances of his NFL career during Buffalo’s Week 9 win over Seattle throwing for 415 yards and four touchdowns and he put up those numbers with a heavy heart.
Following the 44-34 win, it was announced that Allen’s grandmother, Patricia Allen, had passed away the day before the game. Shortly after the tough news, Bills fans stepped up and began donating $17, and more, to the Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo in honor of Allen’s grandmother. In under 24 hours, donations exceeded $100,000 and as of December 28, that number has exceeded $1 million.
The children’s hospital announced that lifelong Bills fan Sue McCollum donated $217,000 to help push the total of donations over the $1 million mark.
So many $17 donations were coming into the hospital, it added a $17 donation button to its website.
Allen released a statement through Buffalo News, saying, “I can’t tell you how special it is to see the outpouring of support for me and my family during this tough time. 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.”
😳 no way!! ❤️💙 https://t.co/dafgOiMjbT
— Josh Allen (@JoshAllenQB) December 28, 2020
Allen has worked closely with the hospital frequently since arriving in Buffalo in 2018.
Say what you will about Bills Mafia, but this is an incredible gesture and there is no denying that Buffalo fans truly are some of the most passionate in all of sports. When they’re not busy breaking tables and drinking every beer in the state of New York, Bills Mafia rallies behind their team and players.