The Buffalo Bills returned to the field Sunday to play the New England Patriots in an emotional return after their safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, suffering a cardiac arrest.
Hamlin tweeted from his hospital bed in support of the Bills and letting fans know he was watching the game.
‘OVERWHELMING’: DAMAR HAMLIN GIVES THANKS IN FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT SINCE CARDIAC ARREST
GAMETIME!!! @BuffaloBills ? pic.twitter.com/PQYClonUHb
— ????? ?????? (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
On the Bills’ first play, running back Nyheim Hines was seen breaking a tackle and then accelerating down the field after catching the opening kickoff return. He ran 96 yards, scoring a touchdown and setting the tone for the rest of the game. The play ignited an already emotional Highmark Stadium crowd into a wild frenzy.
Wow. The #Bills just opened up today’s game with a 96-yard kickoff return TD by Hyheim Hines.
What a scene in Buffalo. Incredible.pic.twitter.com/uWpAbsLVTI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2023
The emotion overflowed into the announcer booth for CBS Sports.
“This is storybook! An ultimate kickoff for Damar Hamlin. This place is going absolutely wild!” CBS announcer Jim Nantz said on the broadcast.
“This is a storybook? This is almost fate! I can’t believe what just — this happened!” Nantz’s partner, Tony Romo exclaimed.
Hamlin responded to kickoff play in a series of tweets filled with shock and joy.
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— ????? ?????? (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
FREE HINES @TheNyNy7
— ????? ?????? (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
Prior to the game, the Bills players wore “Love for Damar 3” t-shirts during warm-ups. During the game, they wore a patch of Hamlin’s number three on the front of their jerseys. The “3” on the 30-yard mark was painted with a blue outline in support of Hamlin.
Hamlin was still listed Thursday in critical condition but, as of Friday, his breathing tube was removed and he was breathing on his own.
He spoke to his teammates via FaceTime, telling them, “Love you boys.”
On Saturday, Hamlin shared his gratitude on Instagram and asked for prayers “on a long road” ahead for his recovery.
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“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” he wrote. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I ‘m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!”
