Tyler Bass deactivates social media after missed kick; Bills Mafia donates to cat shelter to show support

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass has deactivated his social media accounts after missing a potential game-tying field goal in the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday.

Fans on X, formerly Twitter, noticed that Bass' account, @tbass_xvi, was deactivated after the game. At the time of publication on Monday, the page said, "This account doesn’t exist."

The kicker's Instagram account with the same username also was deactivated. The page read, "Sorry, this page isn't available."

Bills Mafia started donating to local nonprofit Ten Lives Club to show support to Bass after he reportedly received online hate. The kicker is a brand ambassador for the organization, which is a no-kill cat rescue and shelter.

"WE STAND WITH TYLER BASS. DON’T BULLY OUR FRIEND," Ten Lives Club said in an Instagram post with a promotional photo of Bass holding a cat. "We just heard the terrible news that Tyler Bass is receiving threats after yesterday’s game and our phones are ringing off the hook from people who want to donate $22 to Ten Lives Club in Tyler’s name.

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"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. Leave our friend alone."

A representative for Ten Lives Club told USA TODAY Sports via Instagram direct message that 646 people have donated for a total of $14,760 as of Monday night.

Bass attempted the 44-yard field goal with 1:47 left in the game and it sailed wide right. The Chiefs were then able to run the clock out to capture the victory.

For Bills Mafia, it was a painful reminder of another chapter in Buffalo's playoff history, Scott Norwood's wide right kick in the Super Bowl XXV loss.