Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott are on the receiving end of praise for their handling of the stunning situation at Paycor Stadium on Monday night.
After Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered an injury that required CPR and an ambulance on the field of play, the broadcast showed Taylor running across the field to McDermott, where they conferred with game officials and then sent both teams to their respective locker rooms.
From there, an extensive wait in which both coaches were eventually seen on the phone amid league personnel before the official postponement.
Based on comments from broadcasts and reactions, it sounds like Taylor and McDermott led the charge in waving off the game. That’s earned them heaps of praise in the aftermath of the horrific event, and rightfully so.
Troy Vincent: “I commend both of those coaches. It’s a tough situation to go back in the locker room and look at 53 men and try to calm people down. It was obvious on the phone the emotions were extremely high. It was a very volatile situation. The coaches led their locker room.”
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 3, 2023
Based on a variety of reports, the @NFL did not make the decision to suspend the Bengals-Bills game. Rather, players/captains and coaches from both teams, who had witnessed Bills safety Damar Hamlin getting CPR for 8 minutes, said they would not continue the game. #NFL
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) January 3, 2023
Per Joe Buck, once officials gave each team 5 minutes to warm up before resuming play, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walked across the field and consulted Bills HC Sean McDermott. Both coaches then sent their teams to their respective locker rooms. Such a classy move by Taylor.
— Paxton Boyd (@paxton) January 3, 2023
Kudos to Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor for being the adults in the room. That's leadership and I gained a lot of respect for the Bengals coach and organization.
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) January 3, 2023
Just remember this was Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor getting this game stopped. League was ready to begin after a five minute warm-up period. Coaches stepped in. Good on them.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 3, 2023
Both coaches have handle this unfortunate situation like the leaders they are. Prayers for that young man and his family.
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) January 3, 2023
I am so glad that Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor got together and got this game to stop.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 3, 2023
