Erie Times News

‘On his current perspective on life: “I lost four Super Bowls … but I also beat cancer four times!”’

‘“I encourage people to learn it and save lives,” Hamlin said. “What happened to me is proof ― living proof ― that you never know when it’s going to be your opportunity to save a life.”’

‘Hamlin will speak Saturday at the Youth Leadership Institute of Erie’s Global Youth Service Day event at East Middle School. He’ll also receive a sizable donation to his foundation’s community toy drive, which has seen an influx of support in the months following Hamlin’s on-field health crisis.’

‘Ed Abramoski does, even though he never played a down. The Erie native was the only athletic trainer Buffalo had over the franchise’s first 38 seasons.’

‘Now I know you Steelers and Browns fans don’t like this rhyme, But please keep in mind that it is now Buffalo’s time.’

‘It’s the Bills’ misfortune, of course, to play in the same division as the mighty New England Patriots, the defending Super Bowl champs who are looking to go 8-0 against Cleveland this Sunday. That makes it likely that the Bills’ path to the playoffs, where they’ve been just once in 19 years, would likely be through a wild-card berth.’

‘He came up with the four ’F’s in faith, family, friends and fans. He sat Jill down and his two daughters to tell them about every lie and mistake he made in his life and his marriage. “My attitude changed and I renewed my faith,” Kelly said.’

‘“Being a kid today is totally different from being a kid when I was growing up,” he said. “The thing is to try to be a difference maker, but the bottom line is you are who you hang with. You show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future. Your future’s not very bright if you hang out with the wrong people. Be a difference maker for positive reasons.”’

‘Kelly originally was scheduled to attend the 2018 Varsity Cup, but because of a recurrence of cancer and his continuing recovery last spring the Times-News was unable to have Kelly serve as the main speaker.’

‘The Bills lost their playoff game last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But this time “wait until next year” has a more hopeful ring to it.’

‘Despite the many friends he’s made among Bills fans, Ezra has been overwhelmed. In an interview Wednesday, he pointed out to me he was “born in El Paso, Texas, with no relation to New York, and yet they (fans) immediately jump in to help. That goes a long way. Each one will be blessed. It’s been very special to see all the Bills fans come together. … Carrying me on their back. All their messages are motivation for me to fight every day. Every donation pushes me further. Every post I read about myself or the Bills makes me stronger. It’s been a blessing in disguise. I’m thankful for my Bills family.”’

‘“This is the first time in my lifetime that I could say the Bills are headed to the playoffs,” said Sullivan Johnson, a sophomore at John Carroll and former running back at Cathedral Prep. “I’ve never seen it. I mean the first quarterback I can remember the Bills having is JP Losman or Drew Bledsoe. In fact, my first Bills jersey was a Bledsoe jersey.”’

‘Other fans might take success or making the playoffs for granted, but this past week has been special as Bills fans celebrate and donate to those in need.’

‘These Bills love long odds. They only had a 17 percent chance of making the playoffs when Sunday’s games started, and look where they are now.’

‘But this much is clear: A win today is a good thing, if for no other reason than it would represent an enormous lift to the Bills’ collective psyches after the Patriots rolled them at home three weekends ago.’