Damar Hamlin’s childhood friend reveals Bills safety has singular focus for teammates
Damar Hamlin has been on the hearts and minds of many NFL fans since the incident that took place in Week 17 in Cincinnati. Stories about the Buffalo Bills safety's childhood and NFL journey are being told. For the Bills, there's one regular-season game remaining for them. On "The Pivot Podcast", Hamlin's childhood friend and New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead commented that Hamlin had a lone focus for his teammates.
Whitehead said:
"He really wanted the win, to win the Super Bowl. And, you know, I don't even think he would want them really just to play for him, because Damar, he's a hard worker. He is hard-working as a special team player last year and going into this year. And for him, it's not even about just being that guy."
"He actually wants to help the team to win. So him probably bring in a lot of positivity and, you know, motivation for that Bills team."
Whitehead added:
"I think that's what he'd want them to do is win. And you know, my boy's over there, Dane Jackson, too, my roommate, both my roommates in college and things. So, I always hope the boys do good. And, you know, I hope Dane goes out there and ball out. I know he going to do it for Damar."
The Buffalo Bills face their AFC East rival, the New England Patriots, in Week 18, at Highmark Stadium. There's still a lot for the Bills to play for should they defeat the Patriots at home. A Bills win and a loss by the Kansas City Chiefs to the Las Vegas Raiders gives them the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
In their Week 18 game against the Patriots, the Bills will honor Hamlin in a number of ways.
The Buffalo Bills and the NFL will honor Damar Hamlin in their Week 18 matchup
The NFL has announced plans to honor Hamlin in Week 18. The public address announcers of the teams hosting a Week 18 game will read a statement prior to the national anthem. It will honor both Damar Hamlin and the first responders who saved his life on the field in Cincinnati. The league put out a statement regarding the plans.
The statement said:
“Throughout this week, the entire NFL family has been praying for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills as he continues his recovery, and we thank the first responders and medical professionals involved in his care."
Teams will be given the choice to paint the three on each 30-yard line in Bills colors to acknowledge Damar Hamlin’s No. 3 jersey. The Patriots have made the choice to do so at Gillette Stadium. All players throughout the NFL will have the option to have T-shirts during pre-game warmups that read, “Love for Damar 3.”
The Patriots gave the 3s on their field a blue outline to honor Damar Hamlin. https://t.co/2ES2NgAm4m
Bills players will wear a corresponding shirt in the team’s colors, along with hats with “3” on them, and the players will wear “3” jersey patches. Without question, Damar Hamlin's presence will be visible throughout the final week of the NFL's regular season.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Pivot Podcast, Pro Football Talk, and Sportskeeda.