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Alaina GetzenbergESPN
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — On a day that was dedicated to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, his teammate made history with Nyheim Hines becoming the first Bills player to have two kickoff return touchdowns in the same game.
Hines scored the second right after the New England Patriots took a 17-14 lead, thanks to a 24-yard Nick Folk field goal off a fumble by Bills running back Devin Singletary.
The 101-yard return came when Hines ran out of the end zone, straight through his blockers and then bounced past Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant as he tried to tackle him. The score gave the Bills a 21-17 lead in the third quarter.
ARE YOU KIDDING, @TheNyNy7?!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ZgH7YChSD8
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
This is only the second time the Patriots under Bill Belichick (since 2000) have allowed multiple special teams touchdowns in a game, with the other coming in Week 13, 2015 against the Eagles. The Bills are the first team since the 2010 Seahawks with multiple kickoff return touchdowns in a game.
No one’s reaction to Hines’ first touchdown was better than Hamlin’s.
“OMFG,” the safety tweeted from the University of Cincinnati Health Center as he watched the game.
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
After Hamlin was honored before the game, Hines took the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to give the Bills an early lead. Hines caught the kickoff and began running straight ahead, zagging past Patriots defenders to get to the right sideline. Then, Hines dashed up the sideline and went untouched into the end zone. Hines’ max speed of 21.25 mph on the kick return touchdown was a career high as a ball carrier.
He celebrated by dropping the ball with his hands outstretched and jumping into the stands.
CHILLS.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023