ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It happens over and over each season, the players excel on the field and the fans of Bills Mafia also go above and beyond. When a car struck Bills superfan Jason Maldanado and his wife April, it struck an entire fanbase with tragedy. 

"We collaborated and I purchased the house just to, help bring in, fans of opposing teams in the Bills Mafia to show everybody what the Mafia is about," said Kurt Armstrong, known around Orchard Park as "Bills Slingshot."

There's one regular visitor to the house he co-owns that has always brought the true spirit of Buffalo fandom year in and year out.

"With Dia Billo, he's one of a kind," he said. "That's all there is to it. He brings an amazing vibe to the whole club that we have here. I mean, I can't put it into words."

"The type of energy that he and his family bring when they come to Buffalo, and even outside of Buffalo, traveling to different games," added fellow "12th Man" member Robert Stallworth Jr., or 'Wingman.'

It was only a few games a season, but Dia, with his family, made their hosts proud to not be fellow fans, but friends.

"Just to see somebody else outside of Buffalo want to come here, spread that type of love and that type of energy is like unmatched," Wingman added. "So his presence here is definitely huge."

A presence put on hold as tragedy struck the family while they were out in Texas, leaving Dia to morn the loss of his wife and recover in a hospital bed for the time being.

"It kind of broke me down in different ways," said Wingman.

"It was devastating," added Shane Boller, known in the 12th Man Misfitz Manor as 'Bills Ghostface.' "I heard about it Wednesday morning, and immediately we started working on trying to fundraise for him."

Like so many of the Bills Mafia, the 12th Man Misfitz Manor has spearheaded the recovery effort with links to a meal train, GoFundMe, Cash App and more. Some of the first to join in? Surprising to say the least.

"The primary group was the beginning - it was all [Miami] Dolphins fans donating, despite the rivalry. It's bigger than football," Ghostface added.

A time of mourning, recovery and unbridled support has washed over not just this house just down the road from Highmark.

"He here in spirit with us right now, you know, he's a great guy," said William Maxwell, aka 'Bills Rager.' "I can't take nothing away from this man - when he here, we party."

It stretches to a home and a hospital bed in the Lone Star state with everyone rooting for a reunion in Orchard Park.

"So basically, I say football at times is that it's like having [Matt] Milano come back," Ranger said. "That's how we look at that there. And we need him back. No, we need his family, his kids."

It will be a long road to recovery and seeing Dia Billo back in Western New York, but the 12th, 13th, and every man is looking forward to it.

"It's going to be an amazing feeling, man. You know, we show him love. Now as soon as he walks through, we're going to show him as much love as we can and continue to support him and get him back on his feet," said Slingshot. "We take care of his family. That's what it's all about. He's family."

Fundraising efforts for the Maldonado family have cleared $36,000 and Jason has told those with the 12th Man Misfitz Manor that he is planning to make a full recovery and be back to the City of Good Neighbors.