Eight-year-old cancer survivor pushed down stairs at NFL game
Mia DeCamilla, an eight-year-old 49ers fan and cancer survivor was beyond excited to attend her first ever NFL game on Sunday.
DeCamilla inherited her love for the team from her father, saying: “Me and my dad, [when I’m] in the hospital, we’ll watch football together, and then when I come home sometimes for breaks, I will sit down and just relax and watch football all day. That’s what I like and how I made my team.”
The young girl - who battled and beat liver cancer twice - attended the event at the Highmark Stadium in New York Decked in 49ers red and a hand-drawn sign that read “I beat cancer! My first NFL game!”
What should've been a night to remember turned into a nightmare situation when DeCamilla was shoved out of her seat and down the stairs by an allegedly drunk Bills fan, following the team's win.
Her father, Mike DeCamilla told local news outlet WIVB that he saw the fan making his approach and heard him saying “‘I’m going to push through all these Niner fans'."
“He actually bumped me and my son a little bit and then got past me and pushed her. [She] almost slid off the stairs…
“He had to be six foot, and she is less than 100 pounds … I know that there’s competitiveness and whatnot, but there’s a point where it’s a family event.”
While DeCamilla was not physically hurt, her family said they decided to leave the game after the incident.
Her mother posted the incident on social media, and it has since gained traction, with many outraged over the adult fan's behaviour.
“Mia DeCamilla beat cancer and wanted to go to her first football game and it ended poorly," one fan wrote. "Great game to go to, but what horrible fans.”
“This cancer survivor got pushed down the stairs at a the bills game last night. I’m furious," another added.
Buffalo fans have since rallied to show the family support, with many of them donating to a GoFundMe that was organised to ease the burden of DeCamilla's treatments, with the fund reaching over $20,000.
Retired NFL cult hero Antonio Brown also commented on the situation, writing on X: “Is it true this little girl got thrown down the stairs at the Bills game? Someone get me in contact with Mia’s family please. I want to get her some gear.”
The team’s official supporters group, Bills Mafia, also rallied behind the family, writing on X: “So sorry to hear about Mia’s experience at the game yesterday.
“We all know one bad apple can ruin the bunch. Let’s show Mia that her experience yesterday is NOT what #BillsMafia is about.”
Despite everything that happened, DeCamilla didn't let the incident ruin her night.
“My favourite part was getting to see Brock Purdy,” the young 49ers fan told local radio station WHAM.
“He’s my favourite player and I have his jersey, too.”
Images: X/ Facebook