The Buffalo Bills made it clear on Sunday that when they took the field to face off against the New England Patriots, they were fighting for every yard with one person on their minds: recovering safety Damar Hamlin.
The Bills began the game by running out of the tunnel carrying flags bearing Hamlin’s name and number three.
Josh Allen and the @BuffaloBills take the field with #3 flags in honor of Damar Hamlin.
Incredible scene. pic.twitter.com/8PHCzF2Nzv
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 8, 2023
Hamlin’s position group huddled before the game for a prayer, and they could be heard saying, “We feel him with us!”
DBs huddle pregame.
Damar Hamlin's position group."We feel him with us."#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cO6kzpWgI3
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) January 8, 2023
And to start off the game, Nyheim Hines returned the kick-off with a 96-yard touchdown.
The @BuffaloBills return the opening kick. You couldn't write this script.
📺: #NEvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Zuxd3911Wt pic.twitter.com/8SexEVXpTN— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
The Bills pulled out a win against New England, 35-23, and once again declared the victory was all for Hamlin.
What a week. What a win.#LoveForDamar | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ckST5m6lkF
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
But in the wake of a terrifying on-field incident — at last Monday’s game against Cincinnati, Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest during the game — it wasn’t just the Bills who were thinking of the popular safety as the games continued this weekend.
On Saturday, a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans began with a pregame prayer for Hamlin.
This is a wonderful moment. Members of the @Titans and @Jaguars joining in prayer for Damar Hamlin before their game Saturday night. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/r408VWGCdT
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 8, 2023
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd — a friend of Hamlin’s — warmed up for his own game on Sunday wearing a Hamlin jersey. According to NFL reporter Bridget Condon, Cam Taylor-Britt did the same — and other team members were wearing “Love for Damar” shirts.
Tyler Boyd, who is close friends with Damar Hamlin, is wearing his jersey during warmups. The two had planned to swap jerseys Monday night after the game.
Cam Taylor-Britt also wearing a Hamlin jersey. Most everyone else on the team wearing 'Love For Damar' t-shirts. pic.twitter.com/JL6lQhnC7l
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 8, 2023
Baltimore Ravens safety walked into Paycor Stadium for his Sunday game wearing a Hamlin Jersey as well.
Ravens safety Geno Stone arriving at Paycor Stadium wearing a Damar Hamlin jersey. pic.twitter.com/1sWhRWthzN
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 8, 2023
UC Health paramedics prepped for Sunday’s game by offering a pre-game prayer from the spot where Hamlin had collapsed on Monday.
UC Health paramedics praying on the field where Damar Hamlin collapsed Monday night. pic.twitter.com/zjwH8flXLC
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 8, 2023
Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas — who went to the same high school as Hamlin in Pittsburgh — intercepted a pass during Sunday’s game against Houston, and he paid his respects to Hamlin in his own way. Once the play was over, he walked to the thirty-yard line — where, as on many fields across the NFL, the white number three had been outlined in Buffalo Bills red. He and several of his teammates gathered around the three, some taking a knee on the field, and he held up his hands in the shape of a heart.
Rodney Thomas pays respect to his high school teammate Damar Hamlin pic.twitter.com/UJI8QRQVjc
— alex (@highlightheaven) January 8, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders, who is one of Hamlin’s best friends, quietly knelt on the field to pray for his friend before beginning his warm-ups on Sunday.
Miles Sanders kneeled down on the field before beginning his warmups
Miles has been praying all week for his best friend Damar Hamlin @HamlinIsland and got to talk to him Friday 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7YWHP6MBcX
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 8, 2023
Hamlin was not the only one who players and fans honored on Sunday. After scoring a touchdown for the Bills, wide receiver John Brown delivered the ball to trainer Denny Kellington — whose quick thinking in providing CPR to Hamlin on the field is credited with saving his life.
After scoring a TD for the Bills, John Brown handed the ball to Denny Kellington, who administered CPR to Damar Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/2FJeVkwctS
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 8, 2023