Once a non-profit, no-kill cat adoption organization in Western New York came out in favor of Buffalo Bills placekicker Tyler Bass, referring to him as a “Cat Dad,” thousands of donations were promised.
The Ten Lives Club wrote, “WE STAND WITH TYLER BASS,” on Facebook on Monday. AVOID HURTING OUR FRIEND.
According to the organization, Bass faced backlash on social media following his late miss of a game-winning 44-yard field goal in Sunday’s 27-24 playoff defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2001, the Ten Lives Club was established, and supporters were asked to support the kicker by donating $22 in Bass’ honor to the organization. Bass plays for the Bills in jersey number two.
When his team was tied or trailing by three points or less in overtime, Bass had previously made all of his field goal attempts in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Others may not be as knowledgeable about bass as The Ten Lives Club.
“Tyler doesn’t deserve any of the hate he’s receiving,” the group posted on Facebook. In addition to being a fantastic football player, he is a wonderful person who last year took the time to support our organization and rescue cats. Give our friend some space.
A photo of Bass posing with a kitten was featured in the Ten Lives Club’s initial post as part of their “Show Your Soft Side” campaign. Bass was referred to in the caption as a “Cat Dad.”
The non-profit’sadvertisementsaid, “It makes sense why Tyler Bass moves so quickly. He has some feline DNA.
CNN has made contact with the Bills and Bass.
According to an email from club PR manager Kimberly LaRussa to CNN, as of Tuesday night, the Ten Lives Club had raised over $155,000 through Facebook, its website, Venmo, and a $5,000 donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
LaRussa stated, “We’re getting donations from a wide range of football fans, including Chiefs, Steelers, and Dolphins fans.”
“I’m a born and raised Bears fan, but I have a lot of Bills fans in my life—happy, happy donated,” one person wrote in a post.
One more donor says, “This is a Chiefs fan.” I’d be glad to contribute.
On Tuesday, LaRussa expressed her hope that people would realize that life and Bass are about more than just football to CNN affiliate WKBW.
He is a person, he is human, and we are all emotional beings. She said to WKBW, “I know people in Western New York are really passionate about football, but you also have to think about him as a person, and the human that he is.
“He’s a great football player who also happens to be a great person.”
