It didn’t take long for things to get emotional in Orchard Park on Sunday in the Buffalo Bills‘ first game since Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during Monday Night Football last week.
With an emotional crowd of Bills Mafia on their feet at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, the Bills started their game against the New England Patriots in epic fashion on Sunday.
Bills running back Nyheim Hines returned the opening kickoff for a thrilling 96-yard touchdown run. After breaking through the initial wave of Patriots defenders, Hines got an opening and turned on the jets on the way to a storybook kickoff return touchdown to give the Bills an early 7-0 lead.
Via @BuffaloBills on Twitter:
CHILLS.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
Hamlin was watching the Bills game in the hospital while recovering from cardiac arrest in Cincinnati. After the kickoff, Hamlin tweeted a must-see response of his own.
Via @HamlinIsland on Twitter:
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
After the Bills’ electrifying start, Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Steph Curry chimed in on Twitter with a reaction.
Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:
Sports man! Sheesh. Can’t help but feel the emotions in that Stadium 🙏🏽 https://t.co/Yx4aFcCos2
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 8, 2023
Following his first kickoff return touchdown, Hines wasn’t done. With the Bills trailing in the second half, Hines took his second kickoff back to the house of a game for a 101-yard touchdown run. After Hines’ second touchdown run, the Bills never looked back.
The Bills took command in the second half to eliminate the Patriots from playoff contention with an emotional 35-23 victory in Western New York.
Following their week 18 win to end the regular season, the Bills are now set to host the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs next weekend.
For more news and updates about the Buffalo Bills, check out USA TODAY’s SMG Bills Wire.
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