Birds players’ prayers are with Bills’ Hamlin
Eagles players have been sending prayers individually and on social media for Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills defensive back who went into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night.
Though still in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, he has shown signs of improvement, according to the Bills. The game was stopped after Hamlin collapsed with 6:12 left in the first quarter, playoff ramifications be damned, as players and coaches from both sides huddled together in support of the player and each other.
“I’ve always said this is a physical sport,” Eagles edge Haason Reddick said Wednesday. “I don’t know, something as freakish as that, I think it’s a reminder of just how dangerous this game is. But I’m definitely praying for the kid. Everybody is praying and hoping that he pulls through, that he makes it out of this because that’s the last thing you want to see is somebody end up in the situation he’s in. You know, we are just trying to go out there, play ball and entertain and provide for our fans. Praying for him and hoping that he pushes through.”
The Eagles and their NFL brethren have been on pause since the Hamlin tragedy. You’re never the same when you’ve seen the medical team working frantically yet skillfully to save a life.
And of course, it could have happened to them. On Sunday the Eagles had a scare when defensive end Josh Sweat was immobilized and after a lengthy delay carted off with a neck injury in the first half.
“Josh Sweat’s situation was scary,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. “I think having to watch him lay there and not getting up right away, that’s a scary thing that the guys have to deal with and have to maneuver. That’s tough. That’s the tough part of this game. The injuries happen in this game. Again, you just try to be there for the guys, and that’s all you’re trying to do. Everybody’s situation and everybody’s thought process is a little bit different, but that’s why you have the relationships so you can help because not everybody’s case is the same.”
The good news is that Sweat was back with his teammates Wednesday, is being monitored day by day and believes he has a chance to return this season.
Which brings us to the Eagles (13-3) and the work they must do to claim the top seed in the NFC, a bye, home-field advantage throughout the postseason and, not that anyone is counting, the NFC East title. A win over the New York Giants Sunday at the Linc (4:25 p.m.) and the Eagles gain all four.
A loss and a win by San Francisco over Arizona, and the Niners are the top seed. A Birds loss and a Dallas win over Washington gives the Cowboys the division. Eagles and Niners losses with a Cowboys win would make Dallas the top seed in the NFC.
“It’s now or never,” veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph said. “That’s how I look at it. If you want it, go get it. If not don’t even
show. There’s only so many times you can get hit in your face before you have to stand up for yourself. Everybody’s back is against the wall. That’s how I want everybody to feel is like our backs are against the wall and we need to move forward.”
That won’t be easy, even with quarterback Jalen Hurts practicing again with the first team, and the Giants, locked into the sixth seed, potentially resting starters. Not after a week of prayers for Hamlin, who is fighting for his life.