ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Highmark Stadium lights dimmed as the Buffalo Bills prepared to exit the tunnel. Smoke filled the field under a pink hue.
The starting defense was announced one by one before the team's first "Monday Night Football" game of this season, Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As safety Taylor Rapp was called out of the pop-up wagon-tunnel, the last player was set to emerge. This moment of significance was not lost on Damar Hamlin, who made the sign of the cross before stretching out his arms, circling and then pumping his fists when his name was called, taking in the cheers that rained down.