‘Hamlin ran past the sideline on his way to the main field when that portion of practice ended. He stopped to high-five his 8-year-old brother, Damir, who had made himself comfortable leaning on top of an athletic-training equipment bag. Hamlin high-fived his father, Mario, and then embraced his mother, Nina. Both followed their son up and down the sideline all day, their white Chasing M’s socks matching the red ones Damar wore on the field.’
Archives for August 1, 2023
Observations: Gabe Davis shines; Josh Allen has a scare
‘The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Davis doesn’t get a lot of credit for his blocking, yet his big body is an asset when the Bills are attacking the edges of the defense on the ground.’
Against all odds, dynamic safety duo of Poyer and Hyde are back with the Bills
‘“It’s just the way the universe works man; it’s truly a blessing,” Poyer said.’
‘It feels amazing’: Damar Hamlin returns to pads and contact at Bills training camp
‘Hamlin worked without restriction for most of the offseason program after he was given clearance, and that continued for the first four days of training camp. But Monday was the first time the team was in pads and there was much more contact as it worked through the script of plays and drills.’
Scary moment with Josh Allen on Day 5 of Bills camp highlights 1st day in pads (Observations)
‘Allen took a few moments before he returned to his feet. When he did it appeared as if he had a slight limp. He walked back to where the offense was standing around the 30 yard-line before the Bills ended practice minutes later. Allen walked off the field and said that he was all right after passing a few members of the media. He went on to sign autographs for a few minutes, walked back toward the locker room, and even did a CBS interview.’
Training Camp Takeaways: Bills practice in pads, Hamlin meets with reporters; Plenty of action during Day 5
‘Hamlin didn’t experience substantial contact throughout the practice, his first connection with an offensive player coming late while the team was drilling the running game. After running back Damien Harris took a handoff off the right side, Hamlin met Harris near the edge and went for a strip of the ball before wrapping up the Bills RB prior to the whistle being blown. Post practice, Hamlin reflected on the interaction.’
Damar Hamlin says his faith is stronger than fear after first padded practice since cardiac arrest
‘“You can’t hit that field with no hesitation,” Hamlin said. “You’re putting yourself in more danger by doing that. Like I said, I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind of being a little scared here and there. But like I say, my strength is rooted in my faith and my faith is stronger than any fear.”’
Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield relishing their chance to be valued weapons in Bills offense
‘“That was the reason why I signed,” Sherfield said. “I talked to Brandon Beane and he was like, ‘No, I want you to become a contributor on offense.’ That was one of the main reasons why I came here. This is probably the first organization that I’ve been with, where they see the potential of receiver and being able to continue to take steps and take those leaps.”’
Damar Hamlin’s comeback continues with a practice in full pads
‘Hamlin, 25, called taking part in the fully padded practice “a super big hurdle, as you can imagine” as he incrementally works his way back toward the level of on-field intensity required to play in an NFL game. Monday’s practice came nearly seven months after he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical responders to resuscitate him, during a Jan. 2 game in Cincinnati.’
Giants players who played with Damar Hamlin react to Bills’ safety’s return to padded practice: ‘I’m definitely a little nervous for him’
‘“Oh man, I’d be lying to you if I said I ain’t nervous for him,” McCloud said. “If he ever has a problem or issue, or is second-guessing himself, then I’m going to always be there to reassure him that he’s been doing this his whole life. Whatever second guesses he has about himself, he’s going to be fine. I’m definitely a little nervous for him, but obviously everyone is. But he’ll be fine.”’
Bills’ Damar Hamlin clears ‘super big hurdle’ in first padded practice since cardiac arrest
‘”I pretty much lost my life playing this sport,” Hamlin said. “So, to come back and do it all over again, it’s all over the place, you know what I mean? But I’m rooted in my faith. I’m rooted in the love that I received from my family, my teammates, and the love all around the world. That just it keeps me going.”‘
Damar Hamlin puts aside fear and practices in pads for the first time since cardiac arrest
‘“It’s a superblessed space. To be able to do what I love again,” Hamlin said. “Just trying to keep everything as normal as possible.”’
Damar Hamlin on first padded practice back: ‘It feels amazing’
‘”It feels amazing,” Hamlin said of being in pads again in his first news conference since April. “It’s a roller coaster of emotions. I was kind of all over the place, just kind of being back for the first time. But God don’t make no mistakes. I’m on God’s timing. As much as the NFL is on schedule and camp starts this day, this is all God’s timing.”‘
Bills’ Damar Hamlin practices in pads for first time since cardiac arrest
‘”It feels amazing [to be back],” Hamlin said Monday at a post-practice press conference. “It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. I was kind of all over the place being back for the first time. God doesn’t make mistakes, I’m on God’s timing. As much as the NFL is on schedule, this is God’s timing. That’s my strength in all this right now. I pretty much lost my life playing this sport, so to come back and do it all again, it’s all over the place. I’m rooted in my faith. I’m rooted in love from my family, my teammates, and love all around the world.”‘
Damar Hamlin Clears Major Hurdle in Return to Football: ‘It Feels Amazing’
‘Hamlin had been a full participant in the team’s OTA’s, though participating in full pads was both a critical symbolic step and a pragmatic one. He has been cleared by multiple heart specialists to continue playing after nearly losing his life on Jan. 2.’