The first thing the Detroit Lions did when they returned to work Wednesday was pray.
Lions coach Dan Campbell called co-director of player engagement Sean Pugh to the front of the meeting room and had Pugh, an offensive lineman at Western Kentucky who became a pastor in his post-playing career, lead a team prayer for injured Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
“I think most guys really already have been saying their own prayers, but I was glad that we started the team meeting like that,” fullback Jason Cabinda said. “He’s been on my mind really since it happened. I mean, everybody’s seen like torn ACLs, torn Achilles, pretty bad injuries, but to see a dude, like, really on the field fighting for his life, that’s pretty scary on, like, a somewhat routine play, too.”
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022.
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Hamlin remained in critical condition Wednesday, two days after he collapsed on the field and went into cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Medics shocked Hamlin’s heart back to life on the field, and the image of tearful teammates surrounding their fallen brother has been seared into the minds of players across the NFL since.
Cabinda, the Lions’ NFL Players Association representative, said Hamlin’s condition was a topic of conversation among players on Tuesday’s off day and remained in the back of everyone’s mind Wednesday as they prepared for this weekend’s pre-playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Lions (8-8) need a win over the Packers and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Packers (8-8) can qualify for the postseason with a win.
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