‘”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.”‘
Archives for January 2023
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.”’
Former SU athletic trainer gave Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin CPR on field after collapse
‘The assistant Bills athletic trainer has been with the team since 2017. He spent 11 years working at Syracuse University as an assistant athletic trainer and then was the head athletic trainer for football from 2005-2017.’
Damar Hamlin jersey sales surge after injury, proceeds to benefit his charity
‘In a tweet on Tuesday, Fanatics co-chair Michael Rubin announced that the jersey was now the top-selling item on the site, and that all proceeds would be donated to Chasing M’s Foundation.’
Sean McDermott, Josh Allen discuss progress of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, emotions felt on field Monday
‘“Very encouraging,” McDermott said. “We’ve been getting incremental updates and Brandon Beane and Nate Breske, Nate being our head trainer, stayed behind in Cincinnati at the hospital and they’ve been there the whole time. My hat goes off to them. They’ve been giving us updates or Damar’s doctors have been giving our doctors updates. The news has been very encouraging and I’m just extremely grateful.”’
Editorial: Response to Hamlin’s injury shows best of us
‘Sportsmanship. Humanity. On full display for millions to see.’
Niagara County rooting for Hamlin
‘“We’re all a part of Buffalo and this is a nationwide prayer for Damar,” McClune said. “We want to show our support.”’
Friday’s New England Coverage
NFL cancels Bills-Bengals game; AFC Championship game might be at neutral site (Boston Globe)
Bills coach Sean McDermott, quarterback Josh Allen get choked up while discussing Damar Hamlin’s collapse (Boston Globe)
Damar Hamlin has made ‘fairly remarkable improvement,’ can communicate in writing (Boston Globe)
‘Damar has been on everyone’s mind’: Bill Belichick extends prayers for Bills in first comments about Hamlin’s injury (Boston Globe)
Patriots expecting unprecedented challenge in season finale at Buffalo (Boston Herald)
Patriots-Bills injury report: Davon Godchaux misses Thursday, 2 others upgraded (Boston Herald)
Guregian: Combating emotions will be tall order for Patriots in Buffalo Sunday (Boston Herald)
Bill Belichick addresses whether the Patriots and Bills will play Sunday (Boston Herald)
Patriots CB Marcus Jones, TE Jonnu Smith return to practice Thursday, could play at Buffalo (Boston Herald)
How Bill Belichick’s personal experience is helping the Patriots process the Damar Hamlin situation (Boston Herald)
What grade does Patriots QB Mac Jones get for 2023 season? (Mailbag) (Springfield Republican)
Bill Belichick shows ‘human side’ with Patriots players in wake of Damar Hamlin injury (Springfield Republican)
After Damar Hamlin injury, Bill Belichick asked Matthew Slater to lead Patriots in prayer (Springfield Republican)
Patriots get good news in second injury report (Springfield Republican)
Mac Jones, Patriots players say they’re playing for Damar Hamlin (Springfield Republican)
Patriots QB Mac Jones: Damar Hamlin asking if Bills won shows what kind of competitor he is (Springfield Republican)
What Bill Belichick said about injured Bills player Damar Hamlin in 8-minute statement (Springfield Republican)
Damar Hamlin’s doctors say he’s reached ‘really good turning point,’ asked them if Bills won (Springfield Republican)
Bill Belichick texted Sean McDermott offering Patriots’ support, is mum on Sunday’s game (Springfield Republican)
Marcus Jones, Jonnu Smith return to Patriots practice, new defensive tackle missing (Springfield Republican)
Bill Belichick reveals reaction to Damar Hamlin injury, recalled ‘chilling’ 1997 incident (Springfield Republican)
Here’s Bill Belichick’s message to Patriots players after Damar Hamlin’s injury (Springfield Republican)
Damar Hamlin has shown ‘remarkable improvement,’ according to the Buffalo Bills (Springfield Republican)
Damar Hamlin’s father speaks to Bills players, gives update on injured teammate (report) (Springfield Republican)
Tyler Hetu: Postseason still possible for Patriots, but it won’t be easy (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)
Patriots Navigating Uncertainty As Matchup With Bills Looms (AP)
Bill Belichick expresses support for Bills, Bengals coaches (ESPN)
What Bill Belichick Said About Patriots-Bills Game Uncertainty (NESN)
Patriots Captains Laud Bill Belichick’s Leadership In Tough Week (NESN)
Jimmy Garoppolo To Patriots? Jason McIntyre Makes Bold NFL Prediction (NESN)
How Damar Hamlin Has Inspired Bills To Play Patriots Game As Scheduled (NESN)
After Damar Hamlin Injury, Patriots Expecting Unprecedented Atmosphere For Bills Game (NESN)
With Punters Leading Way, Patriots Special Teams Have Been Awful (NESN)
Patriots Injury Report: D-Line Starter Sits Out Ahead Of Bills Game (NESN)
Mac Jones Wowed By Damar Hamlin’s First Question After Injury (NESN)
Patriots Coach Praises Bill Belichick’s Handling Of Damar Hamlin Situation (NESN)
Patriots Leaning On These Two Coaches After Damar Hamlin Injury (NESN)
Patriots Practice Report: Two Key Players Return As Bills Game Nears (NESN)
Bill Belichick Gives Long, Thoughtful Statement On Damar Hamlin (NESN)
Why Damar Hamlin Injury, Aftermath Hit Home For Bill Belichick (NESN)
NFL announces scenarios for potential neutral AFC Championship Game site (NBC Sports Boston)
NFL will not resume Bills-Bengals Week 17 game (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Mac Jones in awe of Damar Hamlin’s competitive spirit (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Pats anticipating never-before-seen atmosphere in Buffalo (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Can Pats summon intensity while feeling sympathy for Bills? (NBC Sports Boston)
How Josh Allen, Bills are using the ‘power of three’ as fuel for Damar Hamlin (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Belichick shows a different side with reflection on Damar Hamlin (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Patriots get good news on key playmaker entering Bills game (NBC Sports Boston)
How will Bill Belichick prepare the Patriots to play the Bills? (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: Is Mac Jones’ future still bright? Here’s what the numbers say (NBC Sports Boston)
Bills and Patriots preparing for emotional slugfest on Sunday (WEEI-FM)
Devin McCourty, Mac Jones explain NFL brotherhood in remarks about Damar Hamlin (WEEI-FM)
Bill Belichick recalls ‘chilling’ injury to Reggie Brown in remarks about Damar Hamlin (WEEI-FM)
Patriots add three players to Thursday injury report (WBZ-FM)
Bill Belichick shares his thoughts on the Damar Hamlin injury (WBZ-FM)
Albert Breer: One Patriots coach might already be gone… (WBZ-FM)
Bill Belichick speaks on Damar Hamlin situation: “Life’s bigger than this game” (WBZ-TV)
Marcus Jones, Jonnu Smith return to practice for Patriots (WBZ-TV)
Transcript: Bill Belichick Press Conference 1/5 (Patriots.com)
Transcript: Mac Jones Press Conference 1/5 (Patriots.com)
Week 18: Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)
‘We’re Going to Need Everybody’: Recordings Captured Response to N.F.L. Crisis
‘The first person cut back in: “Call, bring everybody. We need an airway doctor, everybody. Bring the cot with the medics.”’
N.F.L. Cancels Bills-Bengals Game
‘The game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals that was suspended Monday night after the Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field will not be completed, the N.F.L. announced Thursday. N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell called the decision to cancel the game “difficult, but necessary” under the “extraordinary circumstances.”’