Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott Calls 9/11 Speech Report an 'Attack': 'I Know Who I Am!'

Amidst backlash for using the tragic events of September 11, 2001 as a motivational metaphor, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed displeasure with the reporter who broke the story.

Sean McDermott is playing a new brand of defense.

The embattled Buffalo Bills head coach continues to face backlash for using the terrorist attacks that led to the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001 in a motivational metaphor stressing the importance of teamwork. McDermott reportedly made the comparison, documented in a feature from Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com, during a team meeting in 2019 and apologized for the ill-advised equivalence shortly after.  

Amidst further apologies, McDermott took issue with Dunne's story, calling it "clearly an attack on (his) character."

"It's been disappointing. It's been hurtful. At the end of the day, I know who I am," McDermott said, per Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com. "At the end of the day, I know how I handle myself. As I've said, humbly, I'm not without flaws. I wake up every morning and try and do the best job that I can to win games for the fans of the Buffalo Bills and do it the right way and that's my main goal every day."

McDermott is under fire for a questionable reference to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The report adds another complicated layer to a Buffalo season gone awry, one that already faced a dangerous challenge in the form of a visit to Kansas City on Sunday late afternoon (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). Frequently listed on the shortlist of preseason Super Bowl contenders, the Bills (6-6) have responded with mediocrity to the point where even a mere playoff berth is in question. 

McDermott has been far and away one of the most successful coaches in Bills history, as he's currently tied for second on Buffalo's all-time wins list with Lou Saban (44 away from tying leader Marv Levy). The 9/11 controversy should warm his seat and will likely serve as a point of contention when discussing his future ... no matter when the offseason begins.

Surviving a dangerous December gauntlet can only help McDermott: in addition to facing the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Buffalo will also host the Dallas Cowboys at home next weekend en route to a Dec. 23 Saturday night showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Sean McDermott Under Fire for 'Horribly' Insensitive 9/11 Speech