Tyler Boyd: Buffalo Bills fans shower Cincinnati Bengals WR with charitable gifts

Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd was on the receiving end of a game-winning touchdown last week. Now he's catching donations from Buffalo Bills fans.

Boyd's cause is the Western PA Youth Athletic Association. The YouCaring page for the initiative had a $20,000 goal but had raised more than $42,000 as of Thursday morning. More than 2,000 donors contributed, with many giving $17.

That number is significant because it has been 17 years since the Bills reached the NFL playoffs.

And Boyd was a big reason why they returned. He caught a 4th and 12 pass from Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton Sunday in a win against the Baltimore Ravens. He took the pass for a 49-yard score, putting the Bills in the playoffs.

After the game, Bills fans flooded Andy Dalton's foundation. The Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation is close to $300,000 in donations, with the majority coming from Bills fans. Dalton's foundation provides support, resources, opportunities and life-changing experiences to seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families.

"A special shoutout from the Week 8. #CommunityMVP to #BillsMafia and everyone who has used their fandom for good after he helped push the @buffalobills into the playoffs. #CommunityMVP," the NFLPA tweeted Tuesday.

Boyd, 23, played in the Western PA Youth Athletic Association as a child. The Clairton, Pa., and University of Pittsburgh product had just two touchdowns this season.

"You guys are donating to a youth football organization that I grew up playing in and would mean so much to me if I can help improve structure new equipment, travel arrangements etc. Not only the football organization where I grew up but many more," Boyd tweeted Wednesday.

"Thank You to the Bills entire fan base," Boyd added on Twitter. "What great people you are . We have reach our primary goal with 20k and any other donations will still be [accepted] as well."

The Bills face the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1:05 p.m. Sunday in a Wild Card round playoff game at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.