SI

‘Dorsey, 41, was with the Panthers until 2018 when he was hired as the assistant director of athletics for FIU’s sports program. In February 2019, he was hired by Buffalo as its quarterbacks coach and was eventually promoted to passing game coordinator in ’21. This past season was his first as offensive coordinator, taking over for Brian Daboll who was hired to coach the Giants.’

‘“I was actually in talks with the Buffalo Bills a little bit,” he continued. “They wanted me to come up there. It just wasn’t there, though. If my mindset was there, I would probably most likely be in Buffalo right now playing with the Bills.”’

‘The Bills’ wild-card playoff win, 34–31 over the Dolphins, just proved that they are good enough to beat almost everyone when they play poorly. That’s a backhanded compliment, but, hey, it’s still a compliment! How comforting it must be to win with a mediocre performance. Texans fans are jealous.’

‘Buffalo defeated the Dolphins 34–31—with the margin of victory, three, equalling Hamlin’s jersey number.’

‘ESPN host Suzy Klober cast her fifth-place MVP vote for Kellington, who performed CPR on Hamlin after the 24-year-old safety collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Bengals earlier this month, according to Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press. Kolber told the AP that the vote was a “symbolic gesture representing ‘everyone’ who carries the weight of that job, every week. They rarely get the recognition they deserve.”’

‘The announcers on the CBS broadcast seemed to be surprised with the call, as Jim Nantz said it looked “a foot short” before the officials marked it as a first down. But the call stood, essentially ending the game as a 34–31 victory for the Bills, who will advance to the divisional round.’

‘“My heart is with my guys as they compete today!” Hamlin wrote on Twitter ahead of kickoff. “Supporting from home as I focus on my recovery. Nothing I want more than to be out there with them! LFG.”’

‘Bills linebacker Matthew Milano posted on his Instagram story a smiling and standing Hamlin with teammates at the team’s facility in Orchard Park, New York. Hamlin was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday after he underwent “a series of cardiac, neurological and vascular testing on Tuesday.”’

‘Withey, who saved 24 people from the dangerous snowstorm on Christmas Eve, was surprised at his job by Bills legend Thurman Thomas and his wife, Patti, with two tickets to attend Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 12. The gift was sent to Withey on behalf of the Bills and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.’

‘As a concept, however—as an ethos—Bills Mafia had not yet coalesced. Reid was working at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, in web development, upstream from the medical professionals giving hands-on care to patients. He also attended a men’s Bible study group that focused on male accountability. He likes to quote the overlapping wisdom of the gospel writer Luke (“To whom much is given much is required”) and Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben (“With great power comes great responsibility”). Now that Bills Mafia was gaining traction as a happy epithet, one of Reid’s original “cofounders” asked: “Should we do something with this?”’

‘He likely will provide a depth option at receiver for Buffalo this postseason, but don’t discount additional snaps if they’re warranted, given his standing rapport with quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills offense.’

‘Bills safety Damar Hamlin will use funds raised from his new shirts, “Did We Win,” and the symbolic hands in the form of a heart to raise money for the Cincinnati trauma center that helped save his life after his scary injury in Buffalo’s game against the Bengals on Monday Night Football.’

‘Dr. Jamie Nader, who is the Chief Quality Officer at Kaleida Health and led the care team for Hamlin, said in a statement, “We have completed a series of tests and evaluations, and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged to continue his rehabilitation at home and with the Bills.”’

‘Hamlin is a sixth-round 2021 draft pick in his second year who has a standard split in his contract, meaning he receives a lower salary (one far below the minimum) if placed on injured reserve. There is a report that his contract will be adjusted to have him receive his full contracted amount, not a split one, despite his injury. That will be interesting, as it would first require a renegotiation, and the CBA does not allow renegotiations until players have played three years in the league.’

‘It is another way Hamlin is seeking to put “real love into the world” and into the lives of people who spent countless hours and days assisting him at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. On Monday, the hospital announced that Hamlin was being transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center in Buffalo, following the Bills defeating the Patriots, 35-23, to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC.’