People from all over the world tuned in to watch the Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots clash.
It was the Bills’ first game since S Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in their MNF game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, so emotions were at an all-time high.
Also, the Patriots were playing for a spot in the playoffs, so there was plenty at stake prior to kick-off.
So, it was only fitting to watch Bills’ RB Nyheim Hines return the opening kick-off 96 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for a very emotional Bills win.
In fact, NFL insider Kyle Brandt even admitted that he started screaming and that lifelong season-ticket holders reached out to him to tell him it was the loudest they ever heard Bills Mafia.
Time to talk about that 96-yard kickoff return TD on the @BuffaloBills opening play…@KyleBrandt was actually screaming. pic.twitter.com/enZC4XqgaQ
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 9, 2023
“I’m speechless,” Hines told Sam Farner of the Los Angeles Times. “I’m so thankful it was me to bring that juice, but it’s way bigger than me. That’s what I always thought about, and that’s what I thought all day. It’s just bigger than me and bigger than those 10 guys who did a great job of blocking for me.”
Damar Hamlin’s celebration also went viral, and for very good reasons.
His life was in danger for nearly a week, with athletes from all over the world rallying in his support.
The Bills entered the season as one of the teams to beat in the AFC, and now they have some extra motivation to win it all.
It means so much more this time.
