(NEW YORK) — Buffalo Bills fans are coming together to show their support for a Baltimore Ravens player following Sunday’s divisional matchup between the two teams.
During Sunday’s playoff game, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews fumbled a pass that ultimately gave the Bills the opportunity to clinch their 27-25 win. Andrews’ fumble sparked vitriol online and even threats.
Amid the outrage, a Bills fan started a GoFundMe to raise money for Breakthrough T1D, a diabetes-focused nonprofit organization that Andrews, who has Type 1 diabetes, has long supported.
Initially, the Bills fan set a $5,000 fundraising goal but as of publication, nearly 3,000 people have donated over $90,000 and counting in just three days.
The Ravens shared the fundraiser in a post on X and added, “Shout out to Bills Mafia for showing support to our guy Mark Andrews and donating to the @BreakthroughT1D organization, which works towards curing and improving the lives of those dealing with Type 1 diabetes. 💜.”
Breakthrough T1D also thanked Bills fans and said the money raised will go towards Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy for people living with the incurable condition.
“Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) greatly appreciates the generosity of the Buffalo Bills community and the many fans who were compelled to donate after Sunday’s game,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “These donations will support research and advocacy on behalf of the 1.6 million Americans who, like Mark Andrews, live with type 1 diabetes.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin or don’t produce enough insulin, a protein-derived hormone that helps blood sugar get absorbed in the body. Type 1 diabetes is less common than Type 2 diabetes and the CDC estimates only about 5-10% of those with diabetes have the Type 1 version. Andrews has not commented publicly since Sunday’s game on the outcome or Bills fans’ fundraising.
The Bills will face off next against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC championship game, which will be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Sharks 3, Bruins 6 Wild 3, Avalanche 1 Sabres 4, Kraken 6 Blues 5, Golden Knights 4 Lightning 3, Maple Leafs 5 Blue Jackets 1, Islanders 3 Hurricanes 4, Blackhawks 3 Jets 2, Utah Hockey Club 5 Penguins 5, Kings 1
(NEW YORK) — Three Stanley Cup championship rings have been stolen from the home of Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin during yet another burglary in a series of thefts from high-profile professional athletes, authorities said.
The missing rings were reported at 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department on Wednesday.
“At 8:30 pm on January 11, Sewickley Heights Police requested the assistance of the Allegheny County Police Department’s General Investigations Unit for a residential burglary on Blackburn Road,” authorities said. “It was later determined the home belonged to Pittsburgh Penguins player Evgeni Malkin, who returned home from a game to find his home was burglarized.”
Detectives immediately began an investigation and discovered that Malkin’s three Stanley Cup championship rings were taken from the residence, police said.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” authorities said.
In December, the FBI issued a formal warning to sports leagues about organized theft groups targeting professional athletes following a rash of burglaries — beginning in September — at the homes of professional athletes while they were playing games or traveling.
“These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News.
The report stated that “organized theft groups allegedly burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes” between September and November 2024.
“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted,” the report further stated.
Burglars have recently targeted the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. In addition, the homes of NBA guard Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis have been burglarized. The FBI report does not specifically note or refer to any of these incidents.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” said the Allegheny County Police Department in reference to Malkin’s case.
The 38-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star is currently playing in his 18th NHL season and has scored 506 goals to date placing him 45th all-time in league history.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Allegheny County Police Department and police said the investigation remains active and open.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
