For the first time since the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews spoke publicly about his role in the defeat.
Andrews, while having five catches for 61 yards in the game, also made two critical mistakes in the fourth quarter: A fumble that halted a drive with Baltimore trailing 24-19, and a drop in the end zone on what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion with under two minutes to go.
Andrews did not speak to the media after the game, but released a statement on Instagram on Thursday.
“It’s impossible to adequately express how I feel. I’m absolutely gutted by what happened on Sunday,” Andrews wrote in an Instagram caption. “I’m devastated for my teammates, my coaches and Ravens fans.”
He continues: “I pour every ounce of my being into playing at the highest level possible, because I love my team and the game of football like nothing else. That’s why it’s taken me until now to collect my thoughts and address this publicly.
“Even though the shock and disappointment are unlike anything I’ve felt before, I refuse to let the situation define me.”
Andrews goes on to say the situation will make him stronger, and he also expressed gratitude to fans who raised money for his foundation in the wake of the loss.
More Sports from NBC News
To support Andrews and the negativity he was facing after the game, a Bills fan page started a GoFundMe on Monday to raise money to donate to Andrews’s charity, which works toward helping those with Type 1 Diabetes. As of Wednesday night, the GoFundMe had raised over $80,000.
“Despite the negativity, I’ve seen heartfelt love and encouragement, including from those who have generously donated to the Breakthrough T1D organization,” Andrews wrote.
Andrews, 29, was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by Baltimore. He has spent his entire seven-year career with the Ravens.
