By Thomas Grant Jr.
Tyler Bass kicked another game-winning field goal Sunday for the Buffalo Bills.
The former Dutch Fork standout booted a career-long and franchise record 61-yarder with six seconds left in the 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
It was Bass’ fifth game-winning field goal since he was drafted by Buffalo in the sixth round out of Georgia Southern. For his career, he’s 9-9 in the last minute of the fourth quarter or overtime and is third in points among placekickers during that span.
“I just want to say men I couldn’t do it without you guys,” said Bass in the locker room after he was presented the game ball. “I’ve been through a lot and I want you to know you’ve always been there for me.”
Bass is currently ranked fourth on the Bills’ all-time scoring list. Despite signing a 4-year contract extension a year ago, however, the team brought in another placekicker Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad on Oct. 17.
Entering the game, Bass was 2-5 on field goals from 40-49 yards. He made two from that range in the first half and added the 61-yarder to close the day.
An added bonus for Bass was having fans once again send donations to Ten Lives Club. It’s an Upstate New York cat shelter he became a spokesperson for after last year’s playoff loss to Kansas City in which he missed a field goal.
Ten Lives Club reported receiving as much as $28,000 during January on Bass’ behalf.
“It means everything, very emotional,” Bass told ESPN. “Haven’t really processed it yet, but just putting in a lot of work, man, and was just focused on right here, right now, the present and being patient with everything, man. You’re gonna go through ups and downs, but just continue to put your best foot forward. We did that today.”
On his bio page, Bass cites his grandmother Rebecca Lusk as his inspiration.
“My grandma was actually at practice with me every day,” he told Georgia Southern. “She also was battling breast cancer at the time but she didn’t’ miss a practice or a game, so that gives me a lot of strength.”
Bass won a Class 4A title at Dutch Fork during the 2013 season. His high school career ended with him winning the Chris Sailer Award for National High School Kicker of the Year.
Photo by Bill Wippert, Buffalo Bills – Buffalo Bills’ placekicker Tyler Bass, a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, with the 61-yard field goal in Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins.
