Buffalo Bills Honored Damar Hamlin in Team’s First Game Since Player’s On-Field Medical Emergency

The Buffalo Bills got here out sturdy Sunday afternoon in their sport in opposition to the New England Patriots, and it was all in honor of their teammate, Damar Hamlin.

It was the primary sport the staff had performed since Hamlin collapsed on the sector Monday.

The staff honored Hamlin, who stays in the hospital after struggling cardiac arrest, by carrying shirts that learn “Love for Damar 3.” Their helmets additionally featured a No. 3 decal, which is Hamlin’s quantity and their jerseys had the quantity sewn onto the entrance, PEOPLE reported.

The opening minutes of the pregame present was devoted solely to Hamlin’s restoration replace and help.

“We don’t play for the name on the back [of our jersey], we play for the number on the front,” Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen informed the staff earlier than they headed to the sector.

GameDay.. Nothing I Need Extra Than To Be Working Out That Tunnel With My Brothers. God Utilizing Me In A Completely different Manner At present. Inform Somebody You Love Them At present! 🫶🏾3️⃣ let’s go @BuffaloBills ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/XgA7S3Bpvn

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023

Earlier than the sport, Hamlin posted to Twitter, saying, “GameDay.. Nothing I Want More Than To Be Running Out That Tunnel With My Brothers. God Using Me In A Different Way Today. Tell Someone You Love Them Today! 🫶🏾3️⃣ let’s go @BuffaloBills ❤️💙.” He additionally informed everybody that he was watching the sport from his hospital mattress.

Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott acknowledged in an interview earlier than the sport that he had despatched Hamlin a textual content that morning however was additionally making an attempt to “give him space to rest.”