‘“I can’t say how paramount it was to hear from Damar (through) his family,” center Mitch Morse said. “And the medical staff. That really shed some light.”’
BillsBeat - January 6, 2023
Inside the Bills: In his team's darkest moment, coach Sean McDermott's leadership comes to light
‘“He was the perfect man in that situation to handle that,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “I can’t say enough about what he did, what he said to us in the locker room. Obviously, just a dire circumstance that nobody’s expecting, nobody’s ready for, there’s nothing that you can train about. You can never put yourself in that situation until it happens. … Coach handled it as perfect as anybody could.”’
NFL officially cancels postponed Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game
‘The NFL has called a special league meeting for Friday to vote on a proposal that would address the fact the Bills and the Bengals could have claimed the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will play only 16 regular-season games. If approved, the AFC Championship Game would be held at a neutral site if the Bills or Bengals qualify for the game as the road team.’
NFLPA questions why it took so long for league to suspend Bills-Bengals game following Damar Hamlin's injury
‘“For most people, players and former players, and the players and coaches on the field, it was a clear no, and everybody knew it was a clear no,” said Tretter, an Akron native. “The players had no interest in playing, the coaches had no interest in coaching. Every player and former player watching that game knew they would be unable to play.”‘
Alan Pergament: WGR sideline reporter Sal Capaccio reflects on covering Damar Hamlin injury
‘“You knew it was a significant injury when we saw Bengals players immediately motion to the sidelines to get medical teams out there, because a couple of them were really close to where it happened. So that was the first part. Then you started to see some emotion coming out of players. And that was the second part. Now, that’s not completely unique. You’ll see that sometimes when there’s a head injury.”‘
Damar Hamlin's question to doctors when he awoke after injury: ‘Did we win?’
‘“Last night, he was able to emerge and follow commands, and even asked who had won the game,” said Dr. Timothy Pritts, professor in the Department of Surgery at the UCMC’s College of Medicine, and Division Chief of General Surgery and Vice Chair for Clinical Operations at UC Health.’
Bills emotional as they reflect on Damar Hamlin's life-changing moment, NFL's 'brotherhood'
‘“We heard that news this morning and there’s nothing that could have been told to us to bring our day down,” quarterback Josh Allen said to a jam-packed room full of reporters. “We’re extremely happy for him and his family. We just want to love up on him the next chance we get. I don’t know when it’s going to be; hopefully we get to see him soon, and it’s going to be awesome.”’
Bills-Bengals game canceled by NFL; AFC Championship game could be at neutral site
‘The AFC Championship Game could be played at a neutral site if the participating teams in the conference final played an unequal number of games and both could have been the No. 1 seed, the NFL said. Those scenarios may involve the Kansas City Chiefs, Bills and Bengals, depending on Week 18 results. The NFL did not reveal a specific neutral site.’
'You hurt for your brother.' Josh Allen, Sean McDermott open up about Damar Hamlin
‘”This press conference is about Damar Hamlin who we love and his parents and extended family. First I’d like to thank the first responders on the field and the medical teams for both teams on the field, and the medical staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical center. The amount of faith hope and love we saw on display in the last few days has been nothing but amazing. The officiating crew on the field, led by crew chief Sean Smith, handled the situation with extreme composure and compassion. Thanks to the Bengals and their ownership and especially coach Zac Taylor. To fans of both the bills and Bengals along with all of the fans, we’ve heard from in the last few days. Thanks to the media for your understanding. And finally glory to God for his keeping Damar and his family in the palm of his hand and his healing powers.”‘
Damar Hamlin, football guy: Here’s what Bills safety asked when he woke up
‘“Did we win?”’
Bills’ Damar Hamlin is awake, has made ‘substantial improvement overnight’
‘Bills rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam broke the news on Twitter. “Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement,” Elam tweeted. “Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!”’
Sean McDermott gives personal account of how he experienced Damar Hamlin injury
‘“It unfolded so quickly,” he said. “and things have happened so quickly since that point in time with balancing everything that we’re balancing. … after Damar got loaded into the ambulance, I remember thinking to myself, ‘We’re going to need some time.’”’
NFL explains why it decided not to reschedule canceled Bills-Bengals game
‘And three, the decision was made ahead of the Week 18 games, allowing every team to know the playoff possibilities heading into these final games of the regular season.’
So what now? Potential AFC Championship Game scenarios revealed for Buffalo Bills
‘Based on the outcomes of those games, it’s possible that the AFC seeding fixes itself. If the Chiefs lose and the Bills win, then the question of seeding becomes clearer. Or if the Bills lose and the Chiefs win, there’s no issue.’
Bengals’ Tee Higgins got word that Bills’ Damar Hamlin is awake. Here’s how he reacted
‘“Damar’s mom texted me this morning,” Higgins told the media. “She told me about everything and made me feel more at home. I really appreciate them. Just hearing from them. Them having my back as well.”’