Damar Hamlin: Buffalo Bills make a stirring display in support of safety during victory

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The Buffalo Bills made an emotional show of support for Damar Hamlin as they won their first NFL game since the safety suffered a cardiac arrest.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the New England Patriots 35–23 at home to clinch the AFC’s second seed for the postseason.

Following an emotional lead-up to the game on Sunday, running back Nyheim Hines for the Bills returned the opening kickoff for a score, setting up wild celebrations.

In the third quarter, Hines scored once more on a spectacular kickoff return touchdown.

Hines remarked, “I had the impression that Damar was with me on the field.

“The Bills have the finest fan base in the NFL; many teams talk about family, but we mean it here,” said one supporter.

Hamlin, 24, tweeted his support for his team during the game while watching from his hospital bed, yelling “Free Hines” and “Hines free” to commemorate the outstanding touchdowns.

Prior to this game, there had only been four kickoff return touchdowns in the NFL for the whole season. Hines also holds the record for the most kickoff return touchdowns scored by a Bills player in a single game with two.

Coach Sean McDermott of the Bills broke down in tears as Hines ran the ball 96 yards into the end zone on the opening play, while the team’s standout quarterback Josh Allen put his hands on his head in shock.

The Patriots rallied to take the lead at 17-14, but Hines returned the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a score.

Allen connected with three receivers in the end zone to help the Bills score a total of five touchdowns; as a result, the Patriots missed out on a playoff position.

Dawson Knox made a heart shape with his hands after scoring a touchdown and stuck up three fingers, which prompted Hamlin to tweet, “I love you too.”

Third-quarter touchdown reception of 42 yards resulted in John Brown handing the ball to Bills trainer Denny Kellington after he had given CPR to Hamlin.

You couldn’t have planned the opening kick-off any better, remarked Allen. “It was spiritual, for sure. Bone-chilling.

“This game had a lot of feelings; it occupied our thoughts for a week. Although it wasn’t our finest performance, it was still something remarkable.

“Damar is in excellent spirits, and I hope he can see the love and emotion everyone in the stadium is feeling for him. I kindly ask everyone to continue praying for him.

“We adore you, brother, and we long to be with you.”

The number three of Hamlin was embroidered on the shirts of the Bills players.

They also arrived sporting T-shirts and hats featuring his name, number, and image, while supporters put up banners with encouraging remarks.

Big screens at Highmark Stadium, home of the Bills, showed the phrase “Love for Damar 3.”

Hamlin thanks fans for ‘overwhelming love’

The Buffalo Bills stated on Saturday that Hamlin is still in a “serious condition” after making “continuous progress” after collapsing during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Prior to kickoff, Hamlin tweeted, “Game day – nothing I want more than to be sprinting out that tunnel with my brothers.”

“Today, God is utilising me in a different manner. Today, tell someone you adore them!”

Cheers and thanks were given to the Bills medical personnel who assisted in resuscitating Hamlin on the field.

Before the US national anthem was played, Hamlin received a thunderous wave of applause from the Bills players and staff, who were clearly affected.

They always say don’t play for the name on the back, you play for the name on the front, Allen said as he tapped the number three patch on his jersey before leading his squad out onto the field.

The fact that we compete for the number on our front is fairly unique.

Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, showed up to the game sporting a blue cap with the number 3.

The Bills’ team colour, blue, was used to paint an outline around the number “3” at the 30-yard line.

Similar gestures of solidarity were made throughout each of Sunday’s last regular-season games, including the painting of the number three on the field and the wearing of “Love for Damar 3” T-shirts by NFL players as they warmed up.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., both of whom wear the number three jersey, gathered in the middle before the game between their respective teams and prayed.

In a tweet, the Bills cited Hamlin’s physicians as saying that after having his breathing tube removed, his cerebral function is still intact and that he can communicate with his family and medical staff.

Following the event, the NFL decided to call off the Bills’ game versus the Bengals.

Given that the outcome of the game would have altered playoff seeds and that both teams had already clinched playoff berths, NFL owners later agreed on alterations to the AFC playoff format.

The Buffalo Bills will play the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs, while the Kansas City Chiefs will receive a bye after winning on Saturday to secure the top seed.

If the Bills and Chiefs both advance to the AFC Championship game, the location of the game will be selected by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.