Buffalo Bills fans are unforgiving. One rough outing was all it took for the Bills Mafia to turn on Damar Hamlin – one of their most consistent safeties, who not long ago nearly lost his life on the field.
Few will forget that chilling Monday Night Football moment on January 2, 2023, when Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The stadium fell into stunned silence as Buffalo’s medical staff rushed to save him.
Doctors later confirmed Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest, triggered by the collision. He spent weeks at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and endured a grueling four-month recovery before returning to football.
But as Sunday proved, the Bills Mafia isn’t in the business of handing out sympathy when the scoreboard isn’t in their favor.
Hamlin’s bad day sparks outrage
The Chicago Bears demolished the Bills 38-0, dropping Buffalo to 0-2 in the preseason – and Hamlin became the lightning rod for fan frustration.
The fifth-year safety missed two key tackles that led directly to touchdowns. First, he failed to bring down Olamide Zaccheaus on a Caleb Williams completion. Minutes later, he stood waiting on the goal line for running back Brittain Brown, only to be blindsided by rookie Luther Burden’s crushing block.
That was all it took for the online pile-on to begin.
“I’m tired of watching Damar Hamlin,” wrote reporter Jarrett Bailey on X (formerly Twitter). Fans piled on with similar venom:
“Salute to Hamlin, but he can’t play anymore.”
“If Damar Hamlin didn’t die on national television, he wouldn’t be on this Bills roster.”
“All jokes aside Damar Hamlin would be doing DoorDash right now had he not gotten hurt on national TV. Bills can never cut him or else they’ll look like shit not to mention the fame he got off it.”
Hamlin’s career deserves more respect
Despite his critics, Hamlin has been a reliable presence for Buffalo. After a dip the season following his cardiac arrest, he rebounded last year with 89 tackles (62 solo), five passes defended, and two interceptions.
The 2021 sixth-round pick may not be among the NFL’s elite, but he’s been a steady contributor. Still, in the middle of a preseason crisis, fans aren’t interested in perspective – they’re looking for someone to blame.
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