The Buffalo Bills did not have an opening kickoff return for a touchdown in 18 years … until Sunday.
In front of an electric home crowd, celebrating the recovery of Damar Hamlin, Nyheim Hines took the opening kick back 96 yards for a score.
The play took 14 seconds and Highmark Stadium erupted.
The @BuffaloBills return the opening kick. You couldn't write this script.
📺: #NEvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Zuxd3911Wt pic.twitter.com/8SexEVXpTN— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
CHILLS.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
Can't believe it. #ForDamar pic.twitter.com/w71neLPcAe
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
Hamlin immediately tweeted from his hospital bed at the UC Medical Center in Cincinnati.
Simply a stunning moment.
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
Talk about incredible coincidence. While it had been 18 years since the Bills returned the opening kick of a game for TD, it was 3 years and 3 months since their last kickoff return for a score, overall.
Meant to be.#LoveForDamar | #ForDamar pic.twitter.com/Etw3iAgTWY
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
