Orchard Park, N.Y. (Audacy Sports/WGR 550) - The opening kickoff of Sunday’s Buffalo Bills game against the New England Patriots was straight out of a Hollywood script.
Emotions were already high for the team’s first game since Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest this past Monday on the field in Cincinnati, and Bills kick returner Nyhiem Himes took the opening kickoff the distance to score a touchdown, sending Highmark Stadium into a frenzy.
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It was an unbelievably surreal moment for everyone in attendance, including the players on the field, particularly Josh Allen.
The Bills quarterback fought back tears as he was overcome with emotion talking about the significance of that moment following the 35-23 win over the Patriots.
"I can't remember a play that touched me like that in my life. It's probably No. 1. It was just spiritual. I was going around, and just something that was going around my teammates saying, 'God's real.' You can't draw that one up any better," said Allen during his postgame comments. "And I was just told by [Director of Communications] Kevin Kearns it's been three years and three months since the last kickoff return. It's pretty cool."
Allen was among those who were visibly shaken up last week as Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance after having CPR performed on him on the field.
Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery, having his breathing tube removed, and even FaceTiming with the Bills earlier in the week.
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As if Hines' opening kickoff was not enough, he also returned a second kickoff for a touchdown later in the game, making Sunday a truly magical day in Buffalo.
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