Sad news: The head coach of the Green Bay Packers received sad news regarding his top player
Head coach of the Packers, Matt LaFleur, gave a lengthy opening statement regarding Damar Hamlin at the start of his media conference on Wednesday.
According to LaFleur, Green Bay Packers players will have access to experts if they require help managing the situation during the week after practices.
Although the coach claimed not to have been watching the Monday night game, he soon found out what had happened and began talking to other coaches in the Packers organization about it.
When coaching against the Eagles, Matt LaFleur
Nov. 27, 2022, in Philadelphia: Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. (Getty Images/Scott Taetsch)
Teams all around the league are impacted by Hamlin’s circumstances. LaFleur stated he had “never witnessed anything quite like” what had happened to Hamlin, despite the fact that he acknowledged that injuries are a part of football.
LaFleur stated, “What we all saw on Monday night was a sad affair. It was really upsetting and made us realize how important it is to put everyone’s health and safety—not just the players’—above everything else in life. It was difficult to watch. Of course, Damar Hamlin, his family, and the Buffalo Bills are in our hearts and prayers.”
The team announced on Wednesday that Hamlin has shown “signs of improvement” since being taken to the hospital following a cardiac arrest during a game.
The team posted on Twitter, saying, “Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition, with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.”
“He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”
Damar Hamlin’s signature
Support for Buffalo Bills safety is shown via a sign for Damar Hamlin in Orchard Park, New York, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, outside of Highmark Stadium. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/AP)
LaFleur discussed what happened to Hamlin with the players as the Packers gathered on Wednesday morning to begin getting ready for their encounter with the Detroit Lions on Sunday—a game that the team needs to win in order to go on to the postseason.
Under LaFleur’s leadership, the Packers have never missed the postseason.
The Packers players are still thinking about Hamlin as they get ready for the game, according to LaFleur. As everyone attempted to comprehend the seriousness of Hamlin’s medical condition, he described the room as being “very, very quiet.”.
Matt LaFleur, the Green Bay Packers’ head coach
On October 30, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York, head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers speaks following a game at Highmark Stadium. (Getty Images/Joshua Bessex)
LaFleur mentioned that during the morning meeting on Wednesday, he requested that one of the Packers’ team trainers speak to the players. Then, after discussing his priorities with the players, the fourth-year head coach put everything into perspective.
LaFleur said, “I just tried to speak from my heart about how serious and difficult it was to watch.” The length of time it took to get him into an ambulance made you aware that something was wrong. Furthermore, how frequently do you ever see ambulances on the field? It unquestionably outweighs the significance of any game. You are discussing life.”
LaFleur said that on Monday, he spoke with Bengals coach Zac Taylor and texted Bills coach Sean McDermott. When LaFleur and Taylor were both employed by the Rams in 2017, they were members of the same coaching staff.
The NFL has declared that the games in Week 18 will take place on time.
“A few coaches have asked me [about postponing games]. The league makes the final decision,” LaFleur stated. “I do think the league decided, obviously, the correct decision the other night to postpone or cancel [Monday Night Football].”
“You have to give it your all, even though it’s not easy,” LaFleur said. The problem, in my opinion, is that every team is currently coping with this. We all are, after all. Additionally, it illustrates the league’s fraternity, the value these guys place on one another, and our shared compassion.”
