Fans have been shouting with joy since the Buffalo Bills made the playoffs, but it was a tweet for free tickets to the game in Houston that had them beside themselves.
The fan behind the tweet, LeShawn Jerman, has never lived in Buffalo, but was born and raised on Long Island. He began watching the Bills at 5 years old and during their heyday.
"That’s when the Buffalo Bills just started going to Super Bowls with Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, and the boys," said Jerman.
Jerman has been a diehard fan ever since. For one of the biggest games for the franchise in 20 years, the season ticket holder who lives in Charlotte wanted to make good on a tweet and promise from the year before: that if the Bills made the playoffs he would give away playoff tickets.
"It feels good to pay it forward and buy tickets for those who could not otherwise afford playoff tickets," added Jerman.
The trend of paying it forward did not stop there. Once his tweet went viral, former Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson reimbursed Jerman $2,200. Another four tickets were also donated. On Thursday, six fans from across the country won the tickets, including 22-year-old Jada Burns who lives in Atlanta.
"Here in Atlanta everyone is a Falcons fan, but once everyone sees my car with Bills tags , they already know I'm ready for this," said Burns.
Because of the giveaway, she's now able to enjoy several firsts: a visit to Houston, Texas, and her first playoff game with the Bills.
"I'm so blessed, I'm so happy," said Burns.