(Orchard Park) The Buffalo Bills and their fans prepared several tributes for Damar Hamlin on Sunday in their first game since the Marauder’s injury, including number 3s on their jerseys, homemade t-shirts and even a three meter wide greeting card.
However, what happened when the Bills players started the game could not have been added to the script before the game.
On their first play since Monday’s terrifying injury to Hamlin, in which he went into cardiac arrest, Nyheim Hines ran for 96 yards after catching the kickoff and scored the game’s first touchdown against the La Patriots. New England.
This spectacular touchdown put an exclamation point on a moving start to the day in Buffalo. In fact, the past week has been a trying one for the Bills, but they’ve been encouraged by Hamlin’s progress, which medical teams have called remarkable.
Although his condition was still rated critical by staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Saturday, the marauder’s neurological function was excellent, according to his doctors, and he was once again able to breathe on his own and speak. .
“OMFG! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Hamlin wrote on Twitter right after Hines’ initial touchdown. Before the match, he also shared a photo of himself making a heart shape with his hands from his hospital bed.
Hines added to that in the third quarter, when he returned 101 yards for his second touchdown of the game. The Bills finally capped off the day with a 35-23 victory that allowed them to finish second in the team standings for the playoffs.
Once their victory was in their pocket, the Bills players raised three fingers in the air, while the crowd chanted “Hamlin! Hamlin! “.
The Bills (13-3) will therefore receive the Miami Dolphins (9-8) in the first round of the playoffs next week. As for the Patriots (8-9), this loss, combined with the Dolphins’ victory against the New York Jets, results in them being excluded from the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
“For Damar”
Football fans were ready to celebrate Hamlin’s progress when they arrived at the stadium on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Magnuson, who owns a billboard business, had even prepared a three-metre-wide greeting card which was placed at the entrance to the stadium for all to observe – and sign.
“It was really positive. I saw Bills fans, Patriots fans, and even people wearing jerseys from other NFL teams approaching. I think it’s bigger than one team at this point,” Magnuson said. This is for Damar. »
Magnuson also hopes to be able to hand over his giant card to Hamlin.
Three hours before the game, several fans had already written their message of encouragement for Hamlin. Some urged him to “stay strong”, while others simply wrote “love” to him.
Tribute to medical personnel
In a long ceremony before the game against the Patriots, the Bills honored their medical and support staff, who were introduced to the crowd one by one, each time receiving a massive ovation.
As they entered the field, several Bills players carried flags with messages for Hamlin, such as “Pray for Damar 3.” For their part, supporters held up posters with Hamlin’s number 3 and red hearts.
Players from both teams also wore apparel to cheer on Hamlin during the pre-game warm-up, while a number 3 crest was placed on the Bills players’ game jerseys.
Fans from every NFL team have offered their support for Hamlin over the past few days, including raising more than $8 million in donations for the marauder’s “Chasing M’s” foundation.
All NFL teams have planned a tribute for Hamlin during the 18e and final week of the season, which started on Saturday. A moment to honor the marauder was held at all stadiums, while the number 3s from the 30-yard lines were highlighted on the pitches.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was also in Buffalo for Sunday afternoon’s game.