Just one week after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field, the Buffalo Bills are back at it again. What’s more, they are back at it again, in style. They started their final game of the regular season with a 96-yard kickoff return TD, from Nyheim Hines. The Bills Mafia started celebrating hysterically, and so did Hamlin, it seems, from his hospital bed.
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In a press conference, Dr. Timothy Pritts shares what the mood in the room was when the Bills scored their opening touchdown. “He watched the game yesterday. When the opening kickoff was run back, he jumped up and down, got out of his chair, set I think every alarm off in the ICU in the process, but he was fine. It was just the appropriate reaction to a very exciting play,” he said.
Dr. Willliam Knight adds a few more updates to Hamlin’s recovery path. He says, “He has been up with physical therapy and occupational therapy, walking the unit, tolerating a regular diet, meeting with his family and many members of the care team that wanted to see how he was doing – all to get him to this point where he could be safely returned to Buffalo.”
Hamlin is now in Buffalo General Medical Center, where he will undergo a series of tests. However, his doctors from UCMedical Center say he is “neurologically, completely intact”, and is showing good signs during his recovery progression.
Hymein Hines scores two kick return TDs, dedicates them to Damar Hamlin
Hines scored his last kick return TD 3 years and 3 months ago. A number that many in the Bills Mafia believe is a sign in relation to Hamlin’s jersey number, 3. The play roused fans and players alike, even surprising some. “I can’t remember a play that touched me like that I don’t think in my life,” said Bills’ QB Josh Allen. “It’s probably No. 1.”
However, it wasn’t Hines’ only TD of the day. He added another kick return TD later in the game, repeating a feat that was last done in 2010. He is also the first Bills player to have two kick return TDs in a single game.
After the game, Hines took to Twitter to dedicate his TDs to Hamlin. He wrote, “That was for you 3! You been telling me I was going to break one since I’ve been here. Happy we could give you 2 of em! Your spirit was out there with all of us.”
While the Bills bagged their playoff spot long ago, they’ll have to embark on their journey without Hamlin. Thankfully for them, they won their division, which means they have a home advantage. This means if Hamlin is well enough to travel, he could pop by the Bills locker room, and inspire his teammates to give their best. How will the Bills fare in this crucial part of the season?
