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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Highmark Stadium lights dimmed as the Buffalo Bills prepared to exit the tunnel. Smoke filled the field under a pink hue.
The starting defense was announced one by one before the team’s first “Monday Night Football” game of this season, Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As safety Taylor Rapp was called out of the pop-up wagon-tunnel, the last player was set to emerge. This moment of significance was not lost on Damar Hamlin, who made the sign of the cross before stretching out his arms, circling and then pumping his fists when his name was called, taking in the cheers that rained down.
Hamlin ran through the smoke and joined his teammates.
The Bills went on to beat the Jaguars, 47-10.
Mondays have been important within the arc of Hamlin’s NFL career. It was during a “Monday Night Football” game in Week 17 of the 2022 season when Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals, setting off an outpouring of concern and sympathy that transcended football in the following days and weeks.
It was also on “Monday Night Football” — the blowout of the Jaguars — when he recorded his first career interception. The days in between saw Hamlin progress from a backup safety with an uncertain future to a starter on the Bills’ defense.
With countless Mondays to come — starting with a MNF jaunt against the New York Jets (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) in which the Bills are looking to break out of a two-game slump — Hamlin is working to strengthen his role on the field while growing his impact off it.
“I won’t lie, Monday nights are a little bit more meaningful to…
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