Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Former Buffalo Bills safety and current NFL Executive Troy Vincent paid a special visit to Western New York on Wednesday, as he met up with students at Mount St. Mary Academy in Buffalo to speak with a number of students about advancing women’s flag football.
Vincent spent parts of three seasons in Buffalo at the tail end of his career, playing in 24 games between 2004 and 2006. While Vincent didn't experience much winning while playing in Buffalo, he considers the Western New York region a second home, similar to Philadelphia, where he spent eight seasons playing with the Eagles.
"Mr. Wilson and the Wilson family, what they for me and my professional career, as I was transitioning out of the game, Buffalo was a special time for myself in particular. I'm here often, in particular, over at Niagara doing a lot of work in the domestic violence/sexual assault area. But it's a special place for special people, and these young ladies are special leaders. So just being back here to be able to usher, working alongside the Bills, it's a great time here in Western New York."
Vincent's visit to Western New York comes during a big week for the Bills, as they get set to host the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round at Highmark Stadium. It will be the first game the two teams have played one-another since the "Monday Night Football" showdown that was overshadowed by the Damar Hamlin medical emergency.
After Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field during the first quarter of action following a routine tackle, the NFL elected to suspend the game that evening, and later made the decision to call the game a "no contest".
When reflecting on all that transpired with Hamlin more than two weeks ago in Cincinnati, Vincent feels there's not enough that can be done to properly thank the first responders, EMTs, and all the individuals in that stadium that assisted Hamlin and saved his life.
"They gave him a fighting chance to live another day. We're here today, Damar is still with us, I think both coaching staffs, both organizations did a wonderful job under a circumstance that we never want to see," the 52-year-old said. "So I'm just happy that we're here at this place today. Damar's doing well, Buffalo's hosting the divisional game this weekend, and we're looking for another good week of football."
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In the days and weeks that followed, the amount of love and support that flooded in for Hamlin and the Bills was overwhelming in a number of ways. Hamlin's charity, The Chasing M's Foundation, raised nearly $9 million from not only fans of the game, but also from other athletes and prominent figures around the globe.
While the moment the preceded the support for Hamlin was one surrounding a crisis with a football player's life on the field, Vincent believes it showed the power and the influence of the game.
"Everyone around the country was praying, everyone was hopeful. There was no color, there was no race, there was no division. We saw America come together, ushering and praying that a life be sustained," he said. "We saw that that night; we saw excellence, we saw coaches, we saw empathy, we saw humanity. And that's the beauty of the game. Those are some of the values. Unfortunately, it was around a crisis, but those are some of the values of the game."
As the support for Hamlin came from all over the sporting world, Vincent was not surprised by how Bills fans and the entire Western New York region responded to the days that unfolded after the incident back on Jan. 2.
"I didn't know what to expect when I came, but talking to former players that were here like Andre Reed and Thurman [Thomas], those guys that I had played against who had transitioned, and Jim Kelly - I came from that era - Bruce Smith, they used to always say 'It's a great place to be a pro.' When I got here and was able to experience Orchard Park, the people, it's a true football town," Vincent said of Buffalo. "I understand there's hockey that exists, but it's a true football town. It was a great place, a great fan base - always has been - a tradition of winning. And there's an opportunity this week. There's a big game, and the City of Buffalo, it will be rocking in that stadium."
During his weekly Wednesday appearance with the media in Orchard Park, Bills head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Hamlin is at the team facility almost daily. He adds Hamlin is trying to get back into a bit of a routine by taking baby steps to get himself acclimated as a professional once again.
Heading into Sunday's matchup, knowing Hamlin has been back in the building and around his teammates since his medical emergency, Vincent feels it will only galvanize the group more as they continue their run for a championship in Buffalo.
"I think they showed everyday for all of us, as Damar became more-and-more healthier. Obviously, he's not out of the woods, but I think it was a positive," Vincent said. "I know it was a positive moment for myself, very inspirational when you hear good reports each day, in particular from his teammates. We saw last week, tough game against a divisional opponent in Super Wild Card Weekend, they got the job done. Now, as Damar continues to progress, I think it provides more-and-more inspiration for his teammates, the coaches, and, frankly, for the Buffalo Bills fans."
With Vincent's role as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, he played a major factor in the decisions by the league with not only the future of the Bills-Bengals game in Week 17, but also the NFL's decision to play the AFC Championship Game - if it's between the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs - at a neutral site. That determination was made last week, when the league announced the AFC Championship Game will take place in Atlanta, Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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"I think both teams will treat it like it's a another game, another road game," said Vincent of the league's decision. "It'll just be a neutral site for a chance to play to advance to the Super Bowl."
As for the AFC Divisional Round between the Bills and Bengals, Vincent admits there was discussion to make that game a neutral site contest, as well. However, he says the 32 owners voted on a resolution that felt it was only necessary for the AFC Championship Game to be held at a site that was fair for both teams, given the circumstances.
Hear more from Vincent's visit to Western New York on Wednesday available in the player below: