The Bills safety, making his third consecutive start this season, was in the right place at the right time when Lawrence missed Brian Thomas Jr. by a wide margin on a first-and-10 crossing route. Hamlin ran the ball back 19 yards to the Jacksonville 41-yard line and then ran toward the cheering crowd with his teammates in tow.
“This is special, man,” Hamlin told ESPN of his teammates’ reaction. “They’ve been a big part of me making this comeback. They’ve pushed me. They’ve shown me love and grace, they’ve given me everything I needed along the way, and they were even happier than I was when I got my first interception. It just shows the community and the bond we have here in Buffalo. It’s really a special place and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Hamlin’s pick was immediately followed by a five-play, 41-yard drive that resulted in a Khalil Shakir touchdown and a 27-3 lead for the Bills. Buffalo went into halftime with a 34-3 lead over Jacksonville.
It was a great moment of joy for Hamlin and Bills Mafia. Six hundred and thirty days ago, Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a Week 17 game. Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati and had to be resuscitated on the field before being taken to a local hospital. The safety’s return to football was uncertain, but little by little, Hamlin overcame obstacles and made his way back into the Bills’ roster. This summer, the safety took another step, securing his place in the starting lineup to replace departed Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.
On Monday evening, he made his impact clearly felt with a big win.
