The pressure on professional athletes during high-stakes games is immense. Every move they make can be the difference between victory and defeat and, hence, only too often invites the undeserved wrath of fans.
This was the unfortunate reality for Tyler Bass, the Buffalo Bills’ star kicker, after missing a crucial game-equalizing field goal. The incident not only dashed the team’s aspirations for the playoffs but also made Bass an inadvertent adversary to some Bills’ supporters.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and in the face of unjustified backlash, Bass’s favourite animal charity experienced an unforeseen windfall.
During the high-tension match against the Kansas City Chiefs, 26-year-old Bass had the opportunity to level the game with a 44-yard field goal. Alas, the kick veered right, resulting in a 27-24 defeat to the Chiefs, effectively ruining their shot at the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Though the Bills’ victory, even with the successful field goal, was not guaranteed, Bass shouldered the blame for the disappointing loss.
“Ultimately, it’s completely on me,” Bass admitted in the post-match locker room confession, as referenced by NFL.com. “Hit a good ball, it didn’t work out. I feel terrible. I love this team, and it hurts. This one hurts bad. I’ve got to do a better job.”
Regrettably, the fans proved even less considerate, incessantly trolling Bass to the point where he had to retreat from social media.
Amidst the kicker’s silence, his friends at Ten Lives Club, a nonprofit cat adoption charity, rallied to his defence. Through a robust social media post, they appealed to the public to stop targeting Bass.
“WE STAND WITH TYLER BASS. DON’T BULLY OUR FRIEND,” read their Facebook post, coupled with a snapshot of the NFL kicker cradling a cat. “Tyler doesn’t deserve any of the hate he’s receiving. He’s an excellent football player and an even better person who took the time to help our organization and rescue cats last year,” they reaffirmed, urging everyone to lay off their friend.
While no individual should be victimized by such unjust online harassment, a silver lining emerged from the situation: Ten Lives Club disclosed that they had experienced an influx of donations made in Bass’s name. Donors have taken to contributing $22, symbolizing Bass’s number 2 jersey with the Bills.
Donations have swelled to an astounding $155,000, according to CNN, including a generous $5,000 contribution from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, all of which are in honour of Bass.
Although Bass’s miss came at a hefty emotional price, the silver lining is that his misfortune stimulated a charity boost. His favourite cause received significant funds, thereby extending a helping hand to needy felines.
Let this inspiring piece of news serve as a reminder of the spirit of sportsmanship and the importance of pursuing a greater cause beyond the realm of the game.
