Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - For the first time since their season ended in the same spot over six months ago, Buffalo Bills fans welcomed their team back to Highmark Stadium for the annual "Return of the Blue and Red" open practice.
In front of a packed lower bowl, players and coaches conducted a practice complete with their usual positional work, as well as offense against defense in different types of game situations.
Fans of all ages cheered and called for players to sign autographs and take pictures. Thousands of them stayed well after practice was over hoping for players to come to where they were standing.
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Quite a few players did just that, signing and posing for over an hour after the session concluded.
One of those players was safety Damar Hamlin, who suited up in front of the home crowd for the first time since going into cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati back on Jan. 2.
"Man, emotional. Like emotional, man," said Hamlin following Friday's practice at Highmark Stadium. "I probably shed tears twice out here. So many emotions, so much love for the game. Just to be able to be blessed to be back out here with my team just playing the sport that I love at the highest level, it meant everything to me. It was really emotional. It will be like that forever, though."
Hamlin received one of the loudest ovations of the night when he entered the field.
Of course quarterback Josh Allen was the star of the show, and once again this year, came out of the tunnel wearing a different colored helmet as the rest of his teammates. This time, he showcased a blue top with the red charging buffalo.
Last year, Allen did the same with a red helmet.
Players out
Linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Taron Johnson were both held out of the practice with, what was descried as, “general soreness.” Both players were on the field in shorts and a t-shirt.
Wide receivers Isaiah Coulter (knee) and Bryan Thompson (concussion) also missed the session.
Next up:
The team is off Saturday and will return to the field Sunday back at St. John Fisher University in Rochester for an 11:45 a.m. ET practice.
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