Cincinnati Bengals Head coach Zach Taylor shared some details of the conversation he had with Bills coach Sean McDermott on the football field during Monday night’s game.
Moments After Buffalo Bills Safety Asphalt Hamlin After leaving the field in an ambulance, Taylor said McDermott only had one thought in his mind.
“When I got there, the first thing he said was, ‘I need to be in the hospital for asphalt, and I shouldn’t be coaching this game,'” Taylor told reporters on Wednesday.
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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zach Taylor speak during his suspension of play following an injury to Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills at Pecor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Photo by Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
Hamlin remains in critical but serious condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following a cardiac arrest. showed signs of improvementBill said in a statement on Wednesday.
“He is expected to remain in intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him,” the team said.
After Hamlin was taken out of the stadium in an ambulance and before the game was suspended, officiating crews went to the Bengals sideline as McDermott was still trying to figure out what had happened.
Shortly afterwards, Taylor decided to go to Buffalo’s sideline to be part of the conversation between the referee and McDermott.
On Wednesday, Taylor praised McDermott and Biles for their handling of a difficult situation.
Taylor said, “watching the way he handled his team deepened my respect for him and what I always thought he was as a man.”
FILE – Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxboro, Mass.
(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)
In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, NFL executive vice president of football operations troy vincent Said that all his conversations with McDermott were entirely about the well-being of the players.
“My communication with the club and those players is just to check in, to make sure they’re okay,” Vincent said. “And to be able to use the resources that are available to them. It’s tough, and coaches are still struggling.”
Vincent and Taylor noted minutes after Hamlin left the field when it appeared momentarily that play could continue, which has been the subject of lengthy debate since Monday.
Taylor said there had never been any communication about resuming play. He also said that at that time no one was focused on whether the game would resume or not.
Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zach Taylor during the first quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Pecor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Photo by Kirk Irwin / Getty Images)
“So much has happened that I really can’t remember,” Taylor said. “My process of remembering is that that’s exactly what happened as it unfolded. There was no push for anything to happen.”
It is unclear whether the Bills-Bengals game will ever be rescheduled. NFL Said earlier this week that “the game will not be restarted this week.” The focus is on Hamlin’s well-being.
Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications, public affairs and policy, noted that a decision will be made in the next few days.
“But there are a lot of ideas out there and a lot of people we want to consult with, including the clubs involved, before a decision is final,” Miller said.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tye Higgins (85) runs near Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the first half of an NFL football game on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was injured during the game.
(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bikel)
Taylor said his team is preparing to play in the Week 18 game against Ravana, The league confirmed that game is set for 1 p.m. ET in Cincinnati.
Taylor also said that football players know the inherent risks that come with the sport.
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“It was a tough situation,” Taylor said. “Based on the information we have, my understanding is that it is very unlikely to happen. Players who play football know that.”