ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ return to play for the first time since Damar Hamlin’s collapse was set to be emotional for everyone involved.
But the opening play in Sunday’s game, a 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown, scored by Nyheim Hines of the Bills, could not have provided a more triumphant moment for the team, the fans and the N.F.L. itself.
The stadium shook just 14 seconds into play, when Hines ran through the end zone then leaped into the stands where fans hugged and cheered him.
But she had seen Hamlin collapse on the field last Monday, rode a roller coaster of emotion as she followed his recovery and decided on Friday that she needed to be there when the team played again.