Bills Fans Raise Over $80K for Diabetes Research to Support Ravens' Mark Andrews After Critical Play

Support from Unexpected Quarter: Bills Mafia Stands Behind Andrews Amid Online Backlash

Buffalo Bills fans, known for their passionate and often quirky displays of team spirit, are turning their energy towards supporting a player from the opposing team after he faced a wave of online criticism. The player in question is Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who became the target of vitriol after a crucial mistake in the team's playoff loss to the Bills on Sunday.

In a nail-biting game that ended 27-25 in favor of the Bills, Andrews dropped a critical two-point conversion pass in the fourth quarter—one that could have tied the game. Despite the loss, which saw the Bills advance to the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Andrews' emotional response to the blunder was captured on camera, with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seen consoling his teammate.

"We're a team," Jackson said, offering words of reassurance. "It's all of us, bruh, it ain't just you."

Both Jackson and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stood by Andrews in the aftermath, defending him in media interviews. Jackson pointed out that he had also been responsible for turnovers earlier in the game and praised Andrews for his perseverance throughout the season. Harbaugh described the tight end as a “high-character” player with unmatched heart, stressing that the team’s success wouldn’t have been possible without him.

However, despite their support, Andrews faced a harsh backlash from some Ravens fans who flooded his Instagram with negative comments. Among the criticisms, some called for his contract to be terminated, while others even implied physical threats. The controversy intensified due to Andrews’ openness about his Type 1 diabetes in a post from National Diabetes Awareness Month, where he shared his experience with a continuous glucose monitoring system.

But in a surprising twist, Andrews found an outpouring of support from an unlikely group: Bills Mafia. A fan-run GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise funds for a Type 1 diabetes charity in Andrews' name. The original goal of $5,000 was quickly surpassed, and by Wednesday evening, the campaign had raised over $80,000.

The Baltimore Ravens publicly acknowledged Bills fans' generosity and sportsmanship, with the team sending thanks on social media to those who contributed. "Shout out to Bills Mafia for showing support to our guy Mark Andrews and donating to the @BreakthroughT1D organization," the team posted, highlighting the charity's work toward improving the lives of those with Type 1 diabetes.

Donors to the campaign also left messages of encouragement for Andrews, with many noting that Bills fans, who have known the sting of playoff heartbreak, could relate to his loss. One donor, Pat Pericak, shared that his son also has Type 1 diabetes and sees Andrews as a role model.

"Every day has its challenges, but as you’ve shown, you can overcome the challenges to achieve your goals," Pericak wrote. "One play doesn’t diminish all your achievements. This is just one more challenge that you will overcome. #BillsMafia has your back."

Despite the criticism he faced, Andrews can take solace in knowing that his efforts on and off the field continue to inspire—and that support, when it counts, can come from the most unexpected places.