Josh Allen made his first NFL exhibition start Sunday, but the touted Bills rookie was the second-most popular quarterback in Buffalo before kickoff.
Bengals QB Andy Dalton appeared before Bills fans for the first time since his Week 17 touchdown last season ended the franchise's 17-year playoff drought and spawned a cult following in Buffalo, resulting in thousands of dollars in donations to the charities of Dalton and Tyler Boyd, who caught the pass.
Continuing to show their appreciation, fans at New Era Field showered Dalton in applause during a standing ovation as he walked onto the field.
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A standing ovation they’ve been waiting eight months to give.
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) August 26, 2018
Buffalo loves you, Andy Dalton! pic.twitter.com/hmC5xzAt9t
It's been a love affair all week with the Bengals in town, a vastly different reception than what opposing QBs are accustomed to from the Bills Mafia.
Dalton and his wife, Jordan, spent Sunday morning making a surprise visit to a Buffalo hospital. They brought a check and donations of iPads, computers, TVs and gaming consoles for the children in the hospital — matching the contributions from Bills fans that have poured in over the last eight months.
The Andy and JJ Dalton Foundation will shortly unveil their donation to @RoswellPark and the Angel Fund. They will be donating more than $400,000. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/qs8CMmPFjT
— Nikki DeMentri (@nikkidementri) August 26, 2018
Bills fans might be quick to change their tune after Sunday's preseason game, though. Following a three-and-out by the Allen-led Buffalo offense, Dalton launched his first pass downfield to John Ross, who danced around defenders into the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown.
😂@WatchJRoss is out here making Bills defenders look silly. #CINvsBUF pic.twitter.com/XlshFp2Gg3
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 26, 2018
Call it one final donation to Dalton, courtesy of Vontae Davis and the Bills defense.
