Just before the Bills took the field on Sunday afternoon, safety Damar Hamlin made a special visit to his team's locker room.
"His presence I think was good for the guys and also hopefully good for him," head coach Sean McDermott said. "I thought it was a pretty cool moment."
QB Josh Allen and C Mitch Morse agreed with their head coach that Hamlin's presence brought light and uplifting energy to their locker room despite not getting the outcome they were hoping for.
"Just his presence I think speaks volumes," Morse said. "He's not a big rah-rah guy … His presence alone, his smile, his positive energy, which he's always had, always interjects energy and good vibes with the group. It was really good to see him."
"Just his presence was a warm feeling and obviously we wanted to play for him and continue our mission," Allen added. "And again, we just ran into a team that played better than us tonight."
The safety was joined by his family at Sunday's game, and the fans at Highmark Stadium and those watching the game also got a glimpse of him - a moment all of Bills Mafia have been waiting for.
As soon as Hamlin was shown pumping up Bills Mafia while occasionally throwing up his signature heart on the big screen, the entire crowd erupted and rose from their seats.
"The game wasn't trending the way we wanted it to, but when they put him on the big screen and just a great moment," McDermott added. "Keeping perspective of course on where he was just a few weeks ago. So super happy for him and thankful that his health is returning."
"I'm really happy for the fans, the crowd, for him to be able to go out there and he's worked very hard to get in the position he's at right now," Morse added.
