Emotions were understandably high for the Buffalo Bills heading into Week 18’s matchup against the Patriots. It was the first game the team had played since safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on Monday night against the Bengals.
Over the course of the week, Hamlin made remarkable progress in his recovery and was awake and alert enough to watch the game from his hospital room at UC Medical Center in Cincinnati.
Well, Hamlin didn’t have to wait long to get pumped about his teammates.
Nyheim Hines returned the game’s opening kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown in easily the coolest moment of the NFL season. To have that kind of response so quickly — it meant so much to the Bills faithful.
NYHEIM HINES TAKES THE OPENING KICKOFF TO THE HOUSE! pic.twitter.com/lyR0PRhq2C
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) January 8, 2023
That included Hamlin himself who tweeted his live reaction to the touchdown.
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
FREE HINES @TheNyNy7
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
There’s no doubt that touchdown was for Hamlin, and fans were particularly happy to see him live-tweeting about the awesome moment.
This was how Twitter reacted
The fact we are all watching this along with Damar rn 🥹 https://t.co/s74BOHvmN8
— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) January 8, 2023
Damar is happy https://t.co/6EIGWMXrtk
— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 8, 2023
Damar Hamlin’s thoughts on that kickoff return for a touchdown.
If this doesn’t put a smile on your face… https://t.co/oLadg7MA4l
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 8, 2023
How can you not be romantic about football? https://t.co/y1ThtmfVCD
— Jake Maier (@JakeJMaier) January 8, 2023
This is a textbook example of the magic of sports man. Straight chills. pic.twitter.com/0S7QdEqRLc https://t.co/Mn0LlKfRMm
— Offseason Joey (@DJLeMVP) January 8, 2023
Damar Hamlin live-tweeting his reaction to Buffalo's game-opening kickoff return touchdown is just the best thing. https://t.co/6vzXcubWEi
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 8, 2023
You can FEEL this tweet. My heart is so happy🙏💙💙 https://t.co/uMi3yLIIiY
— Pam Chvotkin, Storyteller (@reddusfoximus) January 8, 2023
I'm ugly crying over here ❤️ https://t.co/iYesN0VL7l
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) January 8, 2023
This is a movie https://t.co/8mWJjXQyie
— justin kane (@ByJustinKane) January 8, 2023
It doesn’t get much better than that.
