Nyheim Hines has only been a member of the Buffalo Bills for nine weeks, after coming over via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, but he already made a play many will never forget. In the first play following Damar Hamlin’s frightening injury, it was Hines who returned a 96-yard kick for a touchdown to set the tone against the New England Patriots in the Week 18 regular season finale.
Here’s the spectacular play.
No matter which team you root for, it’s hard not to feel something when witnessing Hines score, knowing everything this locker room has been through in the past week. Not a bad way to kick things off for a team who has very little to play for with a postseason spot already clinched.
As you can imagine, the scene at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo was surreal following Hines’ touchdown return. Players and coaches all had the No. 3 on their jerseys or clothing, showing support for their teammate.
Hamlin is able to watch the game from the UCMC hospital in Cincinnati, and he had a quick yet simple response on social media to Buffalo’s quick success on Sunday.
It’s clear Hamlin is just as excited as everyone in attendance at Highmark Stadium, but he’s also showing that he’s there with them, paying close attention to the game.
For Hines, it’s the first kick return touchdown of his five-year career, and if you asked him, he probably wouldn’t prefer to have it happen in any other way. But he wasn’t done.
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Nyheim Hines scores two kick return touchdowns for Buffalo Bills
Amazingly, Hines had another kick return touchdown later in a close AFC East divisional battle against Bill Belichick’s squad, who just needs a win to clinch a postseason berth.
The second, while it didn’t have quite as much emotion behind it, was arguably better than the first.
Hines becomes just the 11th player with two kick return touchdowns in one game, and the first since Leon Washington did so back in 2010 with the Jets. What makes this feat incredible is the fact that Hines accomplished both touchdowns against the Patriots, who, prior to today, hadn’t allowed a single kick return score since 2010.
Related: NFL Playoff scenarios: A full look at where things stand in Week 18