BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Jay Withey, the Cheektowaga man who has received praise for his actions during the blizzard, was given two tickets to Super Bowl LVII.
The Buffalo Bills tweeted a video Friday of Withey receiving the tickets from Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas and his wife Patti. Thurman and Patti delivered the tickets on behalf of the Bills and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
"It was really special. Both Thurman and I were excited the entire day to go do this," Patti Thomas said. "Also because we knew the kind of young man that jay is. Jay's a local superhero. And he'll inspire you know his story will inspire other people."
Withey, who is also known as "Merry Christmas, Jay," has been praised for rescuing 24 people during the blizzard. Withey broke a window at a school on Delavan Avenue and once he made his way inside, he made his way back out to rescue those who were stranded in vehicles.
Withey and others roamed the halls gathering essentials like apples and cereal just to survive and ride out the storm.
Once they were able, they left the school and returned home. All that was left behind was a note from Withey which was found by police that said:
To whomever it may concern,
I'm terribly sorry about breaking the school window & for breaking in the kitchen. Got stuck at 8 pm Friday and slept in my truck with two strangers just trying not to die. There were 7 elderly people also stuck and out of fuel. I had to do it to save everyone and get them shelter and food and a bathroom.
Merry Christmas
Jay
At first, police weren't sure who left the note, putting a call out on social media for help in identifying the person so they could be recognized for going above and beyond actions that saved lives.
Withey was then identified as the person who helped save others and he shared his story with 7 News a few days later.
"It's very humbling to be rewarded the way I've been rewarded, and whether it's just a gift or people telling me good job its just very surreal very humbling," Withey said. "And I never would have imagined that I would get super bowl tickets. So my brain was literally melting trying to comprehend what was going on in that exact moment. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity once in a lifetime thing."
