NFL honors Damar Hamlin in final week of regular season

We’ve wrapped up our live coverage for the day. You can read more about Hamlin here.

The final game of today’s NFL slate, which featured tributes to Damar Hamlin throughout, is underway with Sunday Night Football.

The Green Bay Packers play the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

If the Packers win, they’ll head to the NFL playoffs.

Because of an earlier win by the Seattle Seahawks, the Lions cannot make the playoffs regardless of outcome.

Damar Hamlin has shown continued progress with his recovery and expects to be released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in the coming days, a source tells CNN’s Coy Wire.

Once Hamlin is discharged from the hospital, he will immediately return to Buffalo, New York.

Shortly after the Buffalo Bills defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon, a fundraiser started by Bills safety Damar Hamlin topped $8.5 million in donations.

Hamlin started the fundraiser in 2020 to raise money to purchase toys for children, writing at the time: “As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me. I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact.” 

During the Bills game on Sunday afternoon, more than $32,000 was raised to support the toy drive.

Organizers thanked those who donated for their generosity and compassion.

“As representatives of Damar, the team at Jaster Athletes posted the fundraiser updates and will work with the Hamlin family, The Chasing M’s Foundation, and the GoFundMe team to ensure the safe delivery of funds,” the group posted on the GoFundMe fundraiser.

Mayor Byron Brown speaks during an interview on January 8.

Damar Hamlin’s recovery is a needed triumph for the city of Buffalo, which is overcoming a challenging year with a mass shooting and deadly snowstorm, Mayor Byron Brown told CNN’s Jim Acosta.

Brown said Hamlin’s recovery is lifting the collective spirits of the community, bolstered further by his team’s victory Sunday.

“Damar’s spirit itself, how he has handled this adversity, how positive he has been and his recovery that seems almost miraculous from where he was, it is just tremendous,” Brown said. “It’s a source of inspiration not only for the Buffalo community, but I think for the entire nation.” 

Brown said the team is inspired by Hamlin as well, noting the record-breaking touchdown which started the game. 

“And that is like Buffalo,” Brown said. “That’s the Buffalo story.” 

Josh Allen walks off the field after defeating the New England Patriots on Sunday.

When asked where the Nyheim Hines’ opening kickoff touchdown ranks in Josh Allen’s football memories, the Bills quarterback said: “I can’t remember a play that touched me like that, I don’t think, in my life. So, it’s probably number one.”

Allen’s hospitalized teammate Damar Hamlin, who the NFL world rallied around this week, wears No. 3. 

Hines’ opening kickoff return for a 96-yard touchdown was also the team’s first to open a game in 18 years. He told reporters after the game that the play “was way bigger than me.”

“I’m speechless,” Hines said. “I’m so thankful it was me to bring that juice, but it was way bigger than me, and that’s what I always thought about. And that was what I felt all day. That it was bigger than me, bigger than those 10 guys who did a great job blocking for me.” 

Another powerful moment from the game: Bills wide receiver John Brown gave Bills assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington a game ball after his touchdown reception in the third quarter.

Brown caught a 42-yard pass from Josh Allen, putting the Bills ahead 28-17. The receiver found Kellington on the sideline and gave the ball to him.

Just seconds after Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field from cardiac arrest on Monday, medical personnel swarmed to his aid. The quick response has been widely credited for the player’s steps toward recovery.

Kellington has been praised by Bills head coach Sean McDermott for “saving Damar’s life.” He was the trainer who gave Hamlin CPR.

Damar Hamlin announced on Twitter that he is selling shirts with the message, “Did we win?” — a reference to one of the first questions he scribbled to doctors and family members when he awoke at the hospital.

After a thrilling opening slate of games Sunday that featured an emotional Buffalo Bills victory and tributes across the league to hospitalized safety Damar Hamlin, the next round of NFL action is about to get started.

Here’s what’s on tap:

John Brown celebrates with Bills fans after catching a touchdown pass on Sunday.

Playing in front of a roaring home crowd in Orchard Park, New York, and buoyed by hopeful news about their hospitalized teammate Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills seemed destined for victory Sunday.

They did not disappoint, earning a decisive 35-23 victory in a high-scoring game against the New England Patriots.

The game featured two kickoff return touchdowns from Bills returner Nyheim Hines and thrilled play-by-play reaction on Twitter from Hamlin, who was watching from his hospital bed.

Fans hold signs in support of Damar Hamlin on Sunday.

Down 17-14 in the 3rd quarter, Buffalo Bills kick returner Nyheim Hines ran his second kickoff back for a touchdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday. His second half score went for 101 yards.

Injured Damar Hamlin tweeted from the hospital, “HINES FREE.”

Hines’ opening kickoff return for a 96-yard TD to start the game was the first for the team to start a game in 18 years. According to the Bills, Hines’ first return touchdown was also the team’s first overall in three years and three months. The Bills tweeted, “Meant to be,” as Hamlin wears jersey No. 3.

The Bills now lead the Patriots 28-17 in the third quarter. 

It was quite a scene in Orchard Park, New York, Sunday morning.

Buffalo Bills fans are known for their raucous tailgate celebrations — and that festive spirit was still present Sunday as the city savored encouraging news about their hospitalized safety Damar Hamlin.

Tributes to the player were everywhere, including on the signs and vehicles of visiting New England Patriots fans. Here are some of the images captured before kickoff:

New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills fans hold signs in support of Damar Hamlin on Sunday, January 8. 

Fans hold signs spelling out Hamlin’s name on Sunday.

A woman has the number three painted on her face at the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday.

Tailgaters set a number three balloon near Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

A young fan draws Hamlin’s number on a car window in a tailgating area on Sunday.

Fans hold signs in support of Hamlin ahead of the Bills game on Sunday.

Prior to the start of Sunday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, a stadium ceremony honored Bills player Damar Hamlin and the medical staff that saved his life.

Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the site of Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest Monday night.

On Sunday, the stadium’s public address announcer Nick Wiget read the following statement:

The fans in Cincinnati, many with signs supporting Hamlin, cheered loudly. The television broadcast also showed Bengals coach Zac Taylor wearing a “Love for Damar” hoodie during the tribute.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was involved in the play where Hamlin was injured, wore a “Love for Damar” t-shirt during pregame warmups.

Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines runs in a touchdown on a kickoff return during the first half of the game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Buffalo Bills, who spent the week worrying for the health of safety Damar Hamlin, returned the opening kickoff of their game for a 96-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots.

Hamlin, watching from the hospital, tweeted, “OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

An emotional crowd in Orchard Park, New York, burst into cheers and hugs as Bills head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen celebrated on the sideline.

According to the CBS broadcast, the opening kickoff return for a touchdown was the team’s first in 18 years. What a return to action!

The Bills tweeted a clip of the touchdown with one word: “CHILLS.”

CNN’s David Close contributed to this report.

Ahead of the Buffalo Bills kickoff with the New England Patriots, Bills safety Damar Hamlin tweeted a picture of him watching the game from his hospital bed at UC Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted her support for the Buffalo Bills as the team’s game against the New England Patriots got underway at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

“Over the last year, Buffalo has been through the unimaginable. As we come together today to cheer on our @BuffaloBills, we show the world the resiliency of the Buffalo spirit. ❤️💙,” Hochul wrote. 

The governor was expected to attend Sunday’s game.

Buffalo Bills players kneel ahead of their game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Buffalo Bills players are back on the gridiron in front of a roaring home crowd, marking their return after safety Damar Hamlin’s collapse during Monday Night Football.

In addition to the Bills clash with the New England Patriots, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing for the first time since they witnessed Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the opposing sideline of the Monday matchup.

Here are the other games underway in the NFL’s early window. All of them will feature tributes to Hamlin:

The Buffalo Bills medical team waves to cheering fans on Sunday, January 8.

The Buffalo Bills are set to honor Damar Hamlin and the medical workers involved in saving his life with a customized home tribute Sunday, a source told CNN’s Coy Wire.

The pregame tribute at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, will especially highlight the members of the Bills training staff who immediately jumped into action after Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday.

That includes assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, credited by Buffalo Bills head coach for saving Damar Hamlin’s life after he performed CPR on the field.

According to an update from the Bills Saturday, Hamlin remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

A patch showing support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is seen on a Bills jersey on Sunday, January 8.

The Buffalo Bills will take the field for the first time Sunday since safety Damar Hamlin’s collapse during Monday Night Football.

While their teammate remains hospitalized, the Bills players will have Hamlin with them in spirit.

The Bills team account shared a video of special patches with Hamlin’s No. 3 getting stitched onto player uniforms for the game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET:

The NFL’s final slate of games this regular season kicked off Saturday with two AFC faceoffs.

The games marked the league’s return to action for the first time since Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s hospitalization, and featured tributes to the player on and off the field. The contests also had major implications for the NFL playoffs.

Chiefs vs Raiders:

Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders players paid tribute to Hamlin, wearing shirts and hoodies of the 24-year-old ahead of their Week 18 matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams were among the players to pay tribute to Hamlin.

Before the game, the public address announcer read a statement of support for Hamlin and received a roar from the crowd.

NFL playoff picture: The Chiefs cruised past the Raiders 31-13, clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC conference.

Kansas City will have a first-round bye in the playoffs and can secure the AFC Championship at home if the Buffalo Bills lose to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

If the Bills win against the Patriots and make it to the AFC championship game along with the Chiefs, the game will be played at a neutral site.

Jaguars vs Titans:

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans held a moment of prayer for Hamlin prior to kickoff Saturday night at TIAA Bank Field. Players from both teams came together and joined arms at midfield while taking a knee in a show of support for Hamlin.

The stadium announcer read a similar PA address to that read at the Chiefs-Raiders game.

The Jaguars also posted video of their field crew highlighting the number 3 on their field in a tribute to Hamlin’s jersey number. You’ll see that gesture taken at stadiums across the league Sunday.

NFL playoff picture: The Jaguars beat the Titans 20-16 in this “win-and-in” contest, meaning they clinched the AFC South division and a spot in the playoffs.

The game turned on a dramatic fourth-quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown, with Jags star defender Josh Allen scooping up a bounding ball and returning it for the score.

This marks the Jaguars’ first playoff appearance since 2017.

With the loss, the Titans’ once strong playoff hopes have now completely diminished. The team suffered seven straight losses to end the regular season. 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin posted messages of love on social media on Sunday. 

The Bills host the New England Patriots later today.