Month: January 2023

The Arizona Cardinals announced Monday that they have fired coach Kliff Kingsbury after four seasons on the job.  The Cardinals also announced that general manager Steve Keim informed has the team that he will step away from his role to focus on his health. The team said in a statement: “We have announced that head coach Kliff Kingsbury has been relieved of his duties. In addition, general manager Steve Keim has decided to step away from his position to focus on his health. The team wishes them well and thanks both of them for their contributions.”

The Cardinals ended their season with a 38–13 loss on Sunday to the 49ers and a dismal 4–13 record.  Kingsbury went 28–37-1 in four seasons leading the Cardinals and had just signed a contract extension at the end of last season that would have taken him through 2027.  Keim had worked in various roles for the Cardinals since joining the team in 1999, and served as Arizona’s GM since 2013.

Editorial credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com

Damar Hamlin has been released from the hospital and has returned home to Buffalo after collapsing on the field during the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills’ NFL game last Monday. The news comes after Hamlin was hospitalized in critical condition after collapsing during the Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. He received CPR on the field before being taken via ambulance to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit after going into cardiac arrest following a hit.

The news of Hamlin’s release was announced via the team’s social media on Monday, which included a statement on behalf of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine that “he [Lamar] is doing well and this is the next stage of recovery.”  Hamlin also tweeted: ‘Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling. The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football! ’

During a press conference on Monday, Dr. William Knight IV, a professor of emergency medicine at the UC Medical Center and director of the Emergency Medicine MLP Program, revealed Hamlin had returned home to Buffalo.  Knight said: “I traveled with him to the airport this morning with our UC Health air care and mobile care crew, including teammates who were with us on the field when Mr. Hamlin collapsed.” 

Hamlin live-tweeted the Bills and Patriots game on Sunday in support of his teammates just a day after thanking fans for showing their support in his first social media post since being hospitalized. He wrote on Instagram: “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!”

Editorial credit: fifg / Shutterstock.com

The Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets on Sunday to secure the final playoff spot in the AFC.  Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders caressed a 50-yard field goal just inside the left upright to clinch the win with 18 seconds remaining in the 11-6 victory at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.  Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said: “It feels tremendous …The goal wasn’t just to get to the playoffs, but understanding [everything] involved. … It’s very fulfilling for the way it happened.”

Dolphins rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson told reporters: “The game today was the definition of just fighting. It wasn’t always pretty, but we did what we had to do to win. That’s all that matters.”  Thompson completed 20 of 31 passes for 152 yards, while Jets veteran Joe Flacco completed 18 of 33 passes for 149 yards.  The Dolphins defense also held the Jets to just 1.9 yards per rush.

The Dolphins will open the postseason next weekend with a game against the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills, who defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday. The NFL playoffs will start Saturday and run through Feb. 12.

Editorial credit: Paparacy / Shutterstock.com

The Buffalo Bills played its first game as safety Damar Hamlin continues to make progress in his recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against the Bengals. The Bills honored Hamlin Sunday afternoon as they went on to win 35-23 over the New England Patriots. During pregame introductions, There was also a special acknowledgement at Highmark Stadium for the medical staff who helped save Hamlin’s life Monday night during pregame introductions. The Bills came out of the tunnel waving “Pray for Damar” flags and collectively held up the No. 3 – in honor of his jersey number – with their fingers in a mid-field huddle, as well as donning “3” hats on the sidelines.

The Bills (12-3) also wore a special “3” patch on their jerseys against New England (8-8) in a game that general manager Brandon Beane said this week will be “a celebration of life.” In addition to showing their support for Hamlin on the field, the Bills plan to pay Hamlin in full despite his placement Friday on injured reserve. Hamlin’s four-year, $3.64 million rookie contract contains a standard split to pay him at a lower rate if he lands on IR, however, Buffalo worked out an agreement with the NFL and NFLPA to pay his full rate for Week 18’s game.

Hamlin took to social media Sunday to send his appreciation to the players and teams honoring him, while Bills coach Sean McDermott shared that he texted with Hamlin on Saturday night and Sunday morning: “He’s amazing. His sprit is so positive. He’s gonna be locked in. We’ll be thinking of him for sure.”  

Moments after the Bills won on Sunday, Hamlin tweeted “We all won.” Buffalo will host the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card; time and date and TBD.

Editorial credit: JoanneStrell / Shutterstock.com