Young fan left shaken but unharmed after alleged incident
An 8-year-old girl battling cancer was allegedly shoved by a drunk Buffalo Bills fan during her first NFL game on Sunday, according to her family. The incident, which took place during the Bills’ game against the San Francisco 49ers, has sparked outrage and calls for better conduct at sporting events.
Cancer survivor attends her dream game
Mia DeCamilla, diagnosed with childhood undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in 2022, has bravely faced and beaten cancer twice. A devoted San Francisco 49ers fan, she became enamored with the team while watching games with her father during her hospital stays.
Her family, who live in Rochester, New York, traveled to Buffalo for the game to fulfill Mia’s wish of seeing her favorite team in action. Mia arrived at the stadium proudly carrying an “I beat cancer” sign, thrilled to witness the matchup.
“In the car, when we were driving there, I was saying, ‘Are we there yet?’ I was too excited. I was full of energy,” Mia told WIVB.
Incident leaves the family disturbed
However, the outing took a distressing turn when a Buffalo Bills fan, described as intoxicated, allegedly shoved Mia while navigating the crowded stadium stairs.
“He said, ‘I’m going to push through all these Niner fans,’” Mia’s father, Mike DeCamilla, told WIVB. “He actually bumped me and my son a little bit, then got past me and pushed her. She almost slid off the stairs and hit her side on the chairs.”
Although Mia was not physically harmed, the family said the incident left her emotionally shaken and uncomfortable about attending future games.
“We don’t want to go back because I felt uncomfortable, and I just don’t feel ready to go there anymore,” Mia said.
A call for awareness and accountability
Mia’s father expressed frustration at the behavior, urging fans to consider the impact of their actions at family-friendly events. “I know that there’s competitiveness and whatnot, but there’s a point where it’s a family event,” he said.
The family left the game early due to their discomfort, and it remains unclear whether the incident was reported to police. The Buffalo Bills have not yet responded to the allegations.
Community support pours in
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many urging Buffalo Bills fans to “do better.” Support for Mia has also trended with NFL player Antonio Brown organizing a FaceTime call with the young fan to lift her spirits.
Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign to assist Mia in her ongoing cancer battle has raised $26,000, far surpassing its $10,000 goal.
Reflecting on fan behavior
The incident has ignited discussions about sportsmanship and fan behavior at NFL games. While many fans are passionate, Mia’s experience serves as a reminder that stadiums are shared spaces meant to be welcoming for all attendees, especially children and families.
For now, Mia and her family are focused on raising awareness about creating safe and enjoyable environments at public events. “There’s a point where it’s not about the game anymore,” her father said. “It’s about how we treat each other.”