Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has known only one head coach since entering the league in 2021, and that is Sean McDermott.
McDermott took a chance on the sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Pittsburgh.
He made Hamlin a full-time starter in just his second season in the league. He stuck by him after the traumatic cardiac arrest in 2023, which led to him becoming a 2024 Comeback Player of the Year finalist. And under his leadership, Hamlin signed a $2 million extension this offseason, going into his fifth year with the Bills.
McDermott was fired early Monday morning after leading Buffalo to eight playoff appearances in nine years, and Hamlin, like many Bills players, was caught off guard by the news.
“A True Leader Of Men,” Hamlin posted on X to his 724k followers. “Thank You For Everything! On & Beyond The Field. We Love You Coach.”
Thank You For Everything! On & Beyond The Field. We Love You Coach. 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾
This was Hamlin’s second post after the McDermott news dropped. His first was simply three broken heart emojis shared immediately after the story circulated.
Bills’ Damar Hamlin Issues Heartfelt Message After Sean McDermott Firing