Since Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL world has rallied in support of him. That has included fans, coaches and front offices. It’s also, of course, included Hamlin’s fellow players. One of them, New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, will pay tribute prior to Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
On Wednesday, Gardner took to Twitter asking if one of his followers had a Hamlin jersey that he could wear pregame. He ordered one from Fanatics but it had an arrival date after Sunday’s Week 18 game against the Dolphins.
“Any way somebody can hook me up with a Hamlin jersey to wear for pregame this week ? My fanatics jersey won’t be here in time,” Gardner’s tweet said.
Any way somebody can hook me up with a Hamlin jersey to wear for pregame this week ? My fanatics jersey won’t be here in time.
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) January 4, 2023
The move was widely lauded.
Thad Brown, who co-hosts Buffalo Kickoff Live, said “Wow. Classy move from a #Bills division rival. Bet Sauce won’t be the only one doing it either. #BillsMafia”
Author Shiv Ramdas agreed, saying “Ok this is awesome.”
Wow. Classy move from a #Bills division rival.
Bet Sauce won't be the only one doing it either.#BillsMafia https://t.co/QD1DVrE50k— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) January 5, 2023
Ok this is awesome https://t.co/ZFUDBNxNJ6
— Shiv Ramdas Buk Riter (@nameshiv) January 5, 2023
Cam Taylor-Britt of the Bengals, meanwhile, wanted to do the same thing.
“Need one !” he replied.
Need one ! https://t.co/Lopi0ZP3Iw
— Cam Taylor-Britt 🧃 (@CamTaylorBritt_) January 5, 2023
Scott Swenson, a videographer for WIVB/WNLO in Buffalo, asked Bills Mafia for help.
“Very cool gesture. #BillsMafia any help here?”
Very cool gesture. #BillsMafia any help here? https://t.co/UOe5r0NQN6
— Scott Swenson (@ScottSwenson4) January 5, 2023
As it turns out, no fan will need to hook Gardner up. Fox’s Erin Andrews saw the tweet and responded by tagging Michael Rubin, the CEO of Fanatics.
Within minutes of Andrews’ response, Rubin replied to Gardner, saying “We got you!!!”
@michaelrubin https://t.co/N3Syc6jvEu
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) January 4, 2023
We got you!!!
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) January 4, 2023
Gardner quickly responded, asking for someone to bring it to the Jets facility. Rubin replied, saying that it would be done on Thursday.
We’ll get someone to get it to you tomorrow!
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) January 4, 2023
Hamlin’s scare, which was later revealed to be cardiac arrest, was one of the most terrifying things ever witnessed. But a positive to come out of has been how strongly everyone has rallied around Hamlin. Gardner’s classy tribute is the latest in a long line of them.
[Sauce Gardner on Twitter]
