Buffalo, New York has been through one of the toughest years, after being hit with unprecedented weather, gun violence, and now a life-changing injury has hit the heart and soul of Buffalo, their hometown NFL team the Buffalo Bills. CBS described the Bills and Buffalo’s close connection as “one of the strongest in the NFL.”

Article by Georgia Simon, Associate Reporter

BUFFALO, NY - On Monday, January 2nd, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, suffered Cardiac Arrest on the field after tackling wide receiver, Tee Higgins, in their Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This is just the latest unfortunate event that has hit the Western New York city in the past year. 

Starting off last May, Payton Gendron, a racist gunman, went into the local Tops grocery store, within a mostly Black neighborhood, killing 10 and wounding three. The Bills responded by visiting where the mass shooting occurred, wearing all-black shirts with “Choose Love” written across the middle. They served meals and handed out groceries to local residents. 

The Buffalo Bills released a tweet following the incident explaining a generous donation of support for their city following the shooting. 

“The Buffalo Bills Foundation is donating $200,000 to support our local response efforts to the racist attack on the East Side. The NFL Foundation will be matching that with an additional $200,000,” the tweet stated. 

Fast forward to November, Buffalo is hit with a massive lake-effect storm, forcing the National Football League (NFL) to relocate the Buffalo Bills game against the Cleveland Browns, to Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. 

A few weeks later, Buffalo is once again hit with a powerful snowstorm leaving around 40 people dead in Erie Country, home of the Western New York city. New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, even called the storm “the blizzard of the century,” after receiving more than 50 inches of snow. 

Days after the devastating storm killed many, the city's beloved Buffalo Bills experienced trauma of its own after one of their own collapsed on the field after experiencing cardiac arrest. 

Hamlin received CPR on the field for around 10 minutes before being transported to the closest trauma 1 center, the University of Cincinnati Medical, where he was labeled as critical condition.

Following the emergency in the first quarter, the NFL canceled the game and determined it would not be rescheduled. Luckily, Hamlin woke up just days later and was able to face his teammates and coaches. 

Hamlin was released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday, before flying home and being admitted into Buffalo General. He was then released on January 11th again from the hospital. 

Jill Eckert, a lifelong Buffalo native and huge Bills fan, explained her reaction to Hamlin’s situation after it occurred. 

“I was watching the game when it happened and everyone just froze. Emotions ran through all of western New York within a split second,” Eckert said. “Prayers started and the world came together. It has been a miracle. It has also brought Buffalo together and made our city stronger.” 

Bills head coach, Sean McDermott, was asked about Hamlin returning to football, where he answered with “His health is first and foremost on our mind as far as this situation. When he feels ready, we will welcome him back.”

The Buffalo Bills are a key component of what makes the city unique. When asked about what the Bills mean to Buffalo, Eckert responded with nothing but love for the organization. 

“The Bills represent our motto to come together as a family and be proud of where you live,” she said. “The Buffalo Bills have brought so much spirit it's unbelievable. When it is game day, everywhere you look from head to toe people are dressed in Bills attire and proud to wear it.” 

His teammates have continuously expressed their love and support for Hamlin, including the Bills left tackle and Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee, Dion Dawkins.

"Like that just shows the type of kid that he is, that he's fought and he's continuing to win,” Dawkins said. “It’s a blessing, you know.”

On the first game back after the incident, Buffalo and every other team in the NFL honored Hamlin with supportive shirts, words of encouragement and different actions across their stadium. Hamlin’s jersey is number three which was represented in continuous support after Monday night's emergency.

Bills players wore the number “3” patches on their uniforms while also recognizing the Bills athletic trainers and medical staff. 

Eckert grew up in Buffalo and has always stayed close to home, where she explained what makes the Buffalo community different from other cities. 

“What makes Buffalo special is the people. Everyone is so loving and caring and down to earth. We always come together to help our neighbors and family and friends,” Eckert said. “The recent events have not changed Buffalo. It just brought back what is really important, to be there for one another. It has actually made us closer and stronger as a community.” 

Buffalo is called “the city of good neighbors.” But what gives Buffalo this nickname? 

“What makes Buffalo the city of good neighbors is the way we were raised and brought up is not to be selfish, to always give and help no matter what,” Eckert said. “It’s a small city that has grown to be one of the largest, most loving cities in the world.” 

Hamlin, originally from McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, went to the University of Pittsburgh where he was the Buffalo Bill's 2021 6th-round draft pick. He has been known for giving back to his community in Mckees Rock and around Pittsburgh. In the days following the incident, Hamlins toy drive fundraiser through GoFundMe raised millions and millions of dollars from donors across the globe. 

The Buffalo Bills have advanced in the playoffs, where they will now play the Cincinnati Bengals on January 22nd in Orchard Park N.Y., at Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills. This sought-out game has an unforgettable storyline and the Bills are hoping to go all the way to the Superbowl for their number three.