NBC/NFL
While it’s not to make light of either Damar Hamlin’s or Damien Harris’ medical situations, NFL fans couldn’t help but be a bit bemused by the fact that the Buffalo Bills ambulance had Hamlin’s jersey hanging in its back windows.
After the ambulance, unfortunately, had to be brought onto the field to treat Harris — it was quickly and thankfully reported that he had “full movement” in all of his extremities — the football world noticed that Hamlin’s #3 jersey could be seen in the two back windows of the vehicle.
Two viral tweets pointed out that Hamlin’s jersey in the ambulance windows makes it look as though the medical staff retired his number, which is something that American sports teams do to honor former franchise greats.
I've seen a lot of crazy things but getting ya jersey number retired in the back of an ambulance truck might take the cake https://t.co/EDjseLa2i3
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 16, 2023
Getting your number retired on the ambulance window is the wildest thing I’ve ever seen https://t.co/9xIFQgQt8r
— Céad Míle Fáilte (@ColeyMick) October 16, 2023
Although Hamlin didn’t play last night, he was on the sidelines for the Bills’ sleepy 14-9 win over the lowly New York Giants. While Hamlin has appeared in just one game this season, the fact that he made the Bills’ 53-man roster is a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
Following their narrow victory over the Giants, which was aided by an all-time boneheaded clock management mishap by Tyrod Taylor at the end of the first act, the Bills will head to New England next weekend to take on the equally pitiful Patriots, who currently sit at 1-5.
With both the Miami Dolphins and the impressively plucky Jets in their division, the Bills are going to need to start putting better performances together sooner rather than later if they want to win the AFC East for the fourth straight season.
As for Harris’ injury, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said after the game that “things are heading in a good direction right now for Damien.” Further reports on Monday morning indicated that he suffered a neck sprain against the Giants and will recover.