They may send themselves crashing through tables at tailgate parties, but many Buffalo Bills fans have hearts of gold. Ask Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

After Dalton connected with Tyler Boyd on a 49-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-12 to beat the Baltimore Ravens in week 17 of the regular season, Bills fans were ecstatic because with the Bengals’ win, that allowed Buffalo to get into the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

As a token of their appreciation, Bills fans began donating to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, a seven-year-old organization that supports seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in Cincinnati and Fort Worth, Texas. And, the good news is fans haven’t stopped contributing since Sunday.

According to an update from Dalton on Twitter on Tuesday, more than $170,000 has been raised by 7,000 donors.

 

 

“Again, we are blown away by everybody that’s donating,” Dalton said. “Thank you to all the Bills fans. Thank you to anybody that’s just supporting our foundation. Let’s keep it going. Let’s see how much we can raise. The more families we’ll be able to help, the more families we’ll be able to make an impact on.”

According to Dalton, many people have made a $17 donation because this is the first time the Bills have reached the playoffs in 17 years, which was the longest current playoff drought.

“I think I’m the hottest guy in Buffalo right now,” Dalton told reporters on Monday. “According to my Twitter, I think everybody’s loving us right now. Obviously that’s a crazy fan base and they’re all pretty excited.”

Dalton and his wife, Jordan, launched the foundation during his rookie season because of their work with children in special needs programs.

The Bills organization is also showing their appreciation to the Bengals. They sent them some of the best Buffalo wings in the country in gratitude for the victory.

 

 

The Bengals may be done for the season, but if it had to end before the playoffs, Dalton and so many families with sick children, are grateful for the outcome.